One of the many routes to viral publicity and worldwide recognition for anyone is a desire to create or do something unique and special; something that was hitherto unheard of. You could think of Henry Ford, maybe Albert Einstein as well, as persons who went along this path. And yes, we still speak of their remarkable feats to this day. In the same vein, the Nigerian bobsled team is on the right path to doing something virtually unknown; at least on the continent of Africa.

Who are the Nigerian bobsled team?

In their biography as published by TravelStart, the trio of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, and Akuoma Omeoga are African-Americans with roots in Nigeria.

As such, they all have eligibility to represent either of the two countries internationally. Born in Chicago, Seun had initial plans of playing in the NBA, but that didn't work out for her. She also featured for Nigeria in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a sprinter. But the breakthrough came in 2016, when "inspired by the members of the U.S. team and the coaches," she sought to spearhead Nigeria's first bobsled team and immediately reached out to the help of her friends - Ngozi and Akuoma.

Ngozi Onwumere, 36, is Nigeria's "brakeman" on the team. Before she joined in 2016, she was already an athlete in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, and 4×100 meter relay, and had competed internationally in Nigeria.

Her desire to do something "new" and "adventurous" made her consider the offer by captain Seun to join the bobsled team.

Akuoma Omeoga, 26, serves as the second brake woman there in the team. Born in the United States, St. Paul, Minnesota, she competed in the track and field program for St. Paul, Minnesota. In her words, track and field is the "family sport." So basically, she is not new in the sporting world.

Akuoma and her friends will be closely watched and followed as they seek to make Nigerians proud in Pyeongchang.

Winning a medal

Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, and Akuoma Omeoga will make history as Nigeria's and Africa's first bobsledders at the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Right from when the enviable bobsledders qualified for the Olympics, they have received the much-needed publicity within and outside of Africa.

In their interview with the Premium Times, Seun Adigun 31, the captain and driver, thanked the bobsled team sponsors - Travelstart and KLM. She proceeded to speak about their plans to "make history" in Pyeongchang. She said as pioneers and the fact that they have been accepted wholeheartedly is something that will "spur" them to compete.

The Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea will begin in earnest on February 9, through to February 25.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED