Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc celebrated representatives of Special Olympics (SO) Nigeria recently following their sterling performance at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games which took place in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. The SO Nigeria athletes, who represented the country in eight sports, won a total of sixty-three (63) medals.

The event, which took place at CSCS’ Corporate Head Office, started with a Knowledge Sharing Session, where the representatives of SO Nigeria enlightened the staff of CSCS on the Inclusion Revolution for People With Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs) and the need for every Nigerian, especially the private sector, to support SO Nigeria.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CSCS Plc, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, commended the athletes for making Nigeria proud at this year’s World Games and expressed his excitement about hosting the leadership of SO Nigeria and representatives of the medallists. He also commended the coaches, caregivers, medics and leadership of Special Olympics for their commitment to this laudable cause.

According to Mr. Jalo-Waziri “We intend to fully partner with SO Nigeria by holding fundraising events and encourage our stakeholders to be active participants in the Inclusion Revolution”.

Commenting on their visit, Mr. Victor Osibodu, Chairman Special Olympics said, “Today’s event will remain memorable for our athletes through their life, as it fulfils their dream of being celebrated in spite of the challenges they face”. Osibodu lauded the individual and collective achievements of the sponsors and partners of SO Nigeria noting that the Corporate Governance model of SO Nigeria has become a benchmark for peer organizations in other countries.

Mr. Osibodu thanked the Board and Management of CSCS for their immeasurable support. “On behalf of the Board, Management of SO Nigeria and more importantly the SO Nigeria athletes, I like to thank CSCS for partnering with us and giving our athletes and their families another great reason to be proud of their capacities”.

The highlight of the event was the closing gong ceremony at the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where representatives of the athletes and the Directors of SO Nigeria performed the traditional rites of ringing the bell to officially mark closing of the day’s trading activities at the Stock Exchange. Though a non-governmental organisation funded through contributions and donations, SO Nigeria is committed to giving PWIDs continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

CSCS is at the forefront of giving back to the society and making positive contributions in the community. The company launched the “Care for the Littles Heroes” in 2015, an initiative aimed at reaching out to children living with various disabilities.