Nigerian celebrities who have carried the Olympic Torch

omotolani

August 8, 2016 3:01 PM

From the first Nigerian to bear the Olympic torch 30 years ago, Rasheed Babatunde Oshoba to Funke Akindele.

Sasha and Funke Akindele

The Olympic Torch is a common feature in the Olympics (both summer and winter games).

Introduced in the 1936 Games in Munich, it has seen hundreds of athletes, celebrities and people partake in the Olympic torch relay. According to the official website of the Olympics, “Olympic flame represents the positive values that Man has always associated with fire. The purity of the flame is guaranteed by the way it is lit using the sun’s rays.”

Over the decades celebrities have taken part in the Olympic Torch relay including our very own Nigerian celebrities.

From the first Nigerian to bear the Olympic torch 30 years ago, Rasheed Babatunde Oshoba, a sprint and long distance athlete who reigned in tracks and field events in the 1970s and 1980s, to Funke Akindele some lucky prominent Nigerian celebrities have being the torchbearer before.

Below is a list of Nigerian celebrities who have carried the Olympic torch:

1. Banky W

The EME boss was a representative of Nigeria as he was part of the Olympic Torch relay for the July, 2012 London Olympics.

"Another notch on the resume… Feeling real blessed today", Banky W tweeted back then after the momentous occasion.

2. Yaw

Radio presenter and actor, Yaw made his country proud as the first Nigerian to carry the Olympic torch in 2012 alongside Funke Akindele, Sasha and Kanu Nwakwor.

3. Eedris Abdulkareem

Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem was part of a team of others who carried the Olympic torch back in 2000.

4. Sasha

Sasha on July 1, 2012, the 44th day of the 80 day Olympic relay, carried the torch in Birmingham, UK for the stipulated 300 meters.

"I am so excited to be a part of this history, when I was notified that I had been selected in March I couldn’t stop smiling but I wasn’t allowed to share the information yet, it is a great honor and an opportunity I will not take for granted, God is truly amazing!", the Strom Records artiste wrote before carrying the torch.

“Thank you all sooooo much for the support, encouraging words EVERYTHING , honoured to have represented my Nigeria, united we stand", said Sasha happily via Twitter.

5. Funke Akindele

The "Jenifa" actress was also part of a team of Nigerians honoured by the Olympic council to bear the torch.

"Had great fun today! Its a great privilege for me. I feel so honoured", tweeted Akindele back in 2012.

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