Abuja: The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF) has announced the death of its President, Chamberlain Dunkwu. Chamberlain, who also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, passed away in the early hours of Saturday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a statement from the federation’s media department described Dunkwu as a significant advocate for youth development through sports. His contributions to aquatic sports in Nigeria were marked by his unwavering dedication to nurturing young talents and repositioning swimming and other water sports.
Dunkwu’s leadership was instrumental in introducing initiatives focused on grassroots development, athlete support, and fostering stronger institutional partnerships. His efforts brought renewed energy to the federation and were pivotal in elevating aquatic sports in the country.
Beyond his contributions to sports, Dunkwu was recognized for his service at the National Assembly, where he played a vital role in administrative coordination and legislative operations. His passing is seen as a tremendous loss for both the federation and the broader Nigerian sporting community.
The second Swim for Future Swimming Championship, which was scheduled to take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, was canceled due to Dunkwu’s critical health condition prior to his passing. The competition, which Dunkwu was the sole sponsor of, was called off by the federation’s Vice President, Abdul-Hassan Magaji, during a meeting with the parents of the participants. Magaji expressed the federation’s regret over the cancellation and assured that a new date for the competition would be communicated in due course.