President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday
announced a cash gift of N5m to each member of the victorious Super
Eagles and the team’s three assistant coaches that clinched the gold
medal in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
While the Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, was given N10m, members of the technical crew were also given N2m each.
The cash gifts also came with a plot of land and national honours for each member the team.
Keshi bagged the national honour of the
Commander of the Order of Niger while his three assistants and the team
captain, Joseph Yobo, were conferred with Officer of the Order of Niger.
The remaining players were conferred with Member of the Order of Niger.
Jonathan made the announcement amidst
loud ovation from the lucky players during a state dinner he organised
in their honour at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, few hours after their
arrival in the country.
The President said two sets of Nigerians youths, musicians and footballers, had been placing the nation on the world map.
He described the players as super heroes, saying their victory was an inspiration to million of Nigerians.
He said the trophy was the most precious centenary gift presented to the nation by the team.
The President recalled that there was
skepticism on the part of Nigerians on the ability of the team to
deliver when they left for the tournament.
He commended them for ignoring criticisms and refusing to surrender by their superlative performance.
“The lesson in your victory for all of
us is that we should never give up in the midst of criticism. Believe in
yourself. With time, you will see the fruits of your labour,” he said.
He said the victory was an indication
that there would be victory for his administration as he works hard to
transform the country.
He said his administration would continue to give sports it’s pride of place in the country.
He assured the Chief Coach of his full support, urging him to ensure that the nation qualifies for the next World Cup.
The President urged Nigerians not to
allow their differences to divide them, observing that the noise of joy
during sporting victories were the same across the country.
Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the victory as another moment of national rebirth and fresh air.
He said as the nation savours the
sweetness of the victory, sports administrators in the country were not
unaware of the responsibility placed on their shoulders to sustain the
victory at all levels and in all sports.
“Winning this trophy is only a milestone
for us, not the destination. Until we fulfill your (the President’s)
vision for us which is to be the best, we will not rest on our oars,” he
said.
The minister asked stakeholders to put
the years of rancour and acrimony behind them because a lot could be
achieved when united.
He said the Nigerian character of resilience fetched the team, which he described as work-in-progress, the trophy.
In formally presenting the trophy to the
President, the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji
Aminu Maigari, said it was a national pride for the players to win the
trophy after 19 years.
Jonathan had while engaging the players
and their handlers in a teleconference ahead of the tournament’s semi
final match against Mali promised to make them “very happy young men” if
they could return to the country with the trophy.
The colourful event was attended by the
wife of the President, Patience; Vice President Namadi Sambo; President
of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu
Tambuwwal; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihediora, and state
governors among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment