FG congratulates heavyweight champ Joshua

The Federal Government has congratulated British professional boxer of Nigerian descent Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua, who recently defeated Ukranian Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified World Heavyweight Champion.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Nigeria is proud to be associated with the new unified World champion, whose Nigerian heritage he has publicly acknowledged.

”My heart is in Nigeria, My heart is in Britain. I am a Nigerian man by blood, yes,” the Minister quoted Joshua as saying in a recent interview, during which the boxer also listed the secret of his success as pounded yam, eba and egusi – all Nigerian cuisine.

He hailed Joshua for his humility, despite his success in boxing, and his undying spirit, coming off the canvas after he was knocked down by Klitschko in the sixth round to win by a Technical Knock Out in the 11th round of their pulsating fight.

Alhaji Mohammed said the government will soon invite the new World Heavyweight Champion to Nigeria, especially as he has said he is looking forward to giving something back to the country.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated the Nigerian-born boxer, Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua for defeating Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine by defending his IBF heavyweight title.
Dabiri -Erewa, who stated this in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on the Media, Mr Abdurrahman Balogun, revealed that the victory of Anthony was not only a thing of pride to Nigerians but the whole of Africa.

She said: “I congratulate you on this wonderful feat, for winning the biggest fight in British boxing history.

“We are truly proud of you and urge you to continue to use your professional prowess to extol the virtues of Nigerian heritage. Your shinning beacon serves as inspiration to the Youth of Nigeria.

“Your victory is also a testimony, to the fact that Nigerians are great people contributing in many ways to the development of the country and the continent as a whole”.
Joshua, a 27-year-old heavyweight boxer is currently undefeated, with 17 wins and an incredible 18 knockouts. He was born in Watford to Yoruba parents from Ogun State.