The Queen’s Baton Relay and the accompanying five-man team from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Wednesday departed the country after a five-day tour of Lagos, for Nairobi, Kenya aboard Kenya Airways KQ533.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that South Africa’s Gideon Sam leads the team comprising Adam Best, Patricia Quayle, Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert and Colin Briggs.
While in Lagos, the Baton visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, Greensprings School, Lekki, Oba Elegunshi’s Palace in Egushi, Lekki and the British Council.
It also went round mainland Lagos for people to see and have a feel of it.
Before their departure, Sam told NAN that Nigerians were indeed blessed with hospitality.
He said that they were welcomed and treated nicely everywhere they visited.
“I give it to Nigerians on hospitality; we were nicely treated all through our stay and it felt like home. We had maximum fun and I thank the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and everyone involved in this event.”
“Nigerians are very nice and willing to help at all times. We have also learnt about some of Nigeria’s customs and traditions.”
“At the palace I learnt some things and I was amazed by some stunts displayed there. The traditional dancers were awesome,” he said.
NAN reports that the Queen’s Baton Relay which will travel to many Commonwealth nations heralds the 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast which will begin on April 4 and end on April 15 in Australia.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel across the 70 Commonwealth nations. It will move around Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
It will travel for 388 days and will achieve its being the longest and most accessible relay in Commonwealth history.
For the first time the Baton will be present at the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) in Nassau, Bahamas from July 19 to July 23.
This is to enable the Baton engage and inspire today’s youth with 60 per cent of Commonwealth citizens less than 30 years.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, flagged off the Queen’s Baton Relay on March 13 in London which coincided with the Commonwealth Day.
Source: NAN
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