NIGERIA PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU HOSTS THE SUPER EAGLES AT THE STATE IN ABUJA
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President Tinubu with the Super Eagles in the Villa |
The Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Cรดte d’Ivoire.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, rewarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a national award (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON) flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and piece of land.
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 is led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
The Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Cรดte 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 finals.
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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.
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“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.
President Tinubu rewards Super Eagles with national award, plots of land, flats in FCT
PRESIDENT TINUBU TO SUPER EAGLES: YOU HAVE PROVED THAT OUR GREATEST STRENGTH LIES IN OUR DIVERSITY
According to the STATE HOUSE press release on February 13, 2024, President Bola Tinubu says the Super Eagles of Nigeria have demonstrated by their team spirit and discipline at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cรดte d'Ivoire that diversity is principally a source of strength.
Speaking at a reception in honour of the players at the State House in Abuja, on Tuesday, the President commended the team for their exemplary display of unity, determination, and resilience on the field.
He emphasized the pride Nigerians felt in the Super Eagles’ remarkable journey throughout the competition.
''It is a great honour for me to receive you, our Super Eagles. As a team, you taught us lessons on resilience, togetherness, diversity, and excitement in competitive games.
''You started the tournament as if Nigeria would not assert itself, but you progressed to the finals. Through all the challenges and dealing with great humidity in the host country, you left your clubs and honoured your country. You gave us great excitement.
''You were determined. We salute your resilience. You lifted our spirits, and you made us proud. You made us smile as Nigerians.
''It is not easy to absorb a loss, particularly when the expectations are high. But you have demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience, and teamship throughout the entire tournament. That is what AFCON stands for, the unity and resilience of the continent. You have done a great job, and I am very proud of you,'' the President stated.
President Tinubu pledged to continue investing in sports and youth development, adding: ''We will consult with you on how to facilitate and promote sports development. As your President, I will go out to attract greater private sector investment in the Nigerian Professional Football League. We have to grow our local league, and I promise to be a super promoter of sports in our country. Many of you may in the future become managers of our local premiership system. I want to say once again that I am proud of you, and Nigeria is proud of you. You are a lifter of spirits."
The President conferred national honours on each member of the football team, which clinched the silver medal in the competition, and announced the donation of a flat and a plot of land to each of them.
He decorated each member of the team with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) lapel pins, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, immediately distributed forms for the allocation of a plot of land to each of the players.
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh applauded the President for prioritizing sports development in the country and ensuring support for the team. He lauded the defining decision of creating a separate Ministry of Sports Development.
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Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga alongside with Nigeria's soccer asset, Victor Osimhen; who emerged the African Footballer of the year (Left) and Super Eagles of Nigeria, Goal Keeper; Stanley Nwabali (Right) in pixel at the State House after the reception held for the AFCON Silver Winning Super Eagles by President Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday.
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''For the first time, we have gone through a major competition; we have come back without any crisis, without any complaint, without any issues whatsoever relating to allowances, bonuses, or whatever. This kept the team focused on the matches in front of them with quality results,'' he said.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Mr. William Troost-Ekong, the Vice-Captain, promised to work hard to surpass their achievements by winning the gold medal in the next competition.
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''We are very grateful for your support during our time in Ivory Coast. We did our best until the final. I wish that we were here carrying the trophy for you.
''In 2019, I was here with a bronze medal. Now we are here with a silver medal. I have two gold-medal winners beside me here and all we can promise is that we will continue to work hard, and the next time we meet, hopefully next year, we will be bringing home a gold medal,'' the Vice-Captain said.