Dalung’s Mother’s Burial Scheduled for December 23

Nalkat Yah Chirram, the late mother of Nigeria’s former Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, will be laid to rest on December 23 at the family residence in Sabongida, situated in Lantang South Local Government of Plateau State.

At the age of 90, the former minister’s mother passed away on November 30. As per the family’s official statement, the final journey will commence at 6 am when her body is transported from the Nigerian Airforce Military Hospital Mortuary in Jos to Sabongida on December 23.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on the same day at the family residence located at Millionaires’ Quarters in Sabongida.

Solomon Dalung served as Nigeria’s Sports and Youths minister from 2015 to 2019. During his tenure, Nigeria achieved significant milestones in sports, including qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympics and forming Africa’s first-ever bobsled team. Moreover, D’Tigers claimed victory in the FIBA Afrobasket in 2015.

Notably, the Nigeria national football team, Super Eagles, gained international acclaim for their uniquely designed Nike jersey ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, amassing over three million pre-orders worldwide before its public release on May 29, 2018.

Furthermore, Nigeria’s national cricket team made its T-20 debut on September 14, 2018, at Boland Park, South Africa, marking a significant milestone in the country’s cricketing history.

Reflecting on achievements in football, Nigeria became the first African nation to secure gold, silver, and bronze medals in the football event, winning gold in 1996, silver in 2008, and bronze in 2016.

Under Dalung’s leadership, Odunayo Adekuoroye, a wrestler from Ondo state, became the first-ever African female wrestler to clinch a medal at the World Wrestling Championship in Paris in 2017.

Additionally, athletes like Blessing Okagbare made history by securing a place in the Guinness Book of Records for her remarkable appearances in the Diamond League—competing in the 100m, 200m, and long jump events, a total of 38 times.

Paul Kehinde, a Nigerian Powerlifter, set two world records in the men’s 65kg category at the 2016 Rio Games, ultimately securing a gold medal. His outstanding achievements earned him the Member of the Order of the Niger [MON] award from the Nigerian government in 2016.