Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-04 10:20:50
Former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has called on President Bola Tinubu to provide further motivation to the Super Eagles by rewarding them for their achievement of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s place in the semi-finals was secured with a 1-0 win over Angola, thanks to Ademola Lookman’s first-half strike. Lookman broke the deadlock for the Super Eagles in the 41st minute after being set up by Moses Simon. This crucial win propelled the team to the next stage of the competition.
Omokri took to social media to express his belief that President Tinubu’s decision to ensure that all outstanding salaries and entitlements owed to officials and players were paid has contributed to the Super Eagles’ current top form. He emphasized the importance of sports development and the role money plays in it, as a team that is disgruntled over unpaid arrears will not perform at their best. Omokri commended President Tinubu for understanding this and investing in the team, building the nation, and easing tensions through football.
He suggested that President Tinubu should further motivate the Super Eagles by rewarding them for their achievement in qualifying for the semi-finals. Omokri proposed offering the players, coaches, and officials the national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) if they win their semifinal match and promising them the award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) if they win the trophy. He stressed the importance of providing motivation before the matches, rather than waiting until after they win.
In making his case, Omokri highlighted the unifying nature of football in Nigeria and the potential impact of investing in sports. He emphasized that President Tinubu’s support for the team goes beyond just spending money on games; it is a strategic move in nation-building. Omokri called for the recognition of the Super Eagles’ achievement and the provision of additional motivation to spur them on to further success.
Overall, Omokri’s message to President Tinubu was a plea to recognize the Super Eagles’ efforts and provide additional motivation to the team in the form of awards and rewards for their success in the tournament. By doing so, he believes that President Tinubu can demonstrate his commitment to sports development and encourage the team to achieve even greater success.
