By Victor Kanayo
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday rewarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a National Award (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON), flats and land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
President Tinubu made the pronouncement when he received the players and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The delegation was led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh.
The Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Côte d’Ivoire.
All the team members, clad in green attire, and officials were in attendance, including Alex Iwobi, who had faced cyber attacks following Nigeria’s loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the final of the just concluded African Cup of Nations.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu commended the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament, acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the final.
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The President had urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasising that we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world with our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.
“Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.
“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the president said.
Nigeria settled for second position in the just concluded Nations Cup after succumbing to a Cote d’ivoire defeat.
