Yemi Obafemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to continue investing in sports and youth development in the country.
The president disclosed on Tuesday when he hosted the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja following the Super Eagles performance in the recently AFCON 2023 final match in Côte d’Ivoire.
“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, ” Tinubu affirmed.
Tinubu honoured each player and official of the Nigerian Super Eagles with the Member of The Order of The Niger national award for securing the silver medal at the just-concluded 2023 Africa Nations Cup.
He also gave the Super Eagles a flat and a plot of land to each of them even as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, immediately distributed forms for land allocation to each player at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.
While decorating each team member with the MON lapel pins at a reception at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said “‘It is not easy to absorb a loss, particularly when the expectations are high. But you have demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience and team spirit throughout the tournament,” Tinubu said,
All the team members 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.
The Eagles, three-time African champions, lost the AFCON final 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in Abidjan on Sunday.
He recounted the pride Nigerians felt in the Super Eagle journey throughout the competition, he said “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…you have done a great job, and I am very proud of you.”
