Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-14 05:29:32
The Super Eagles football team, national heroes who recently competed at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), received high recognition and appreciation from the Federal Government of Nigeria. On Monday, during a reception at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, President Tinubu personally commended the team for their stellar performance.
The President expressed his immense pride and admiration for the Super Eagles, remarking that their achievement at the tournament was a source of great excitement for the entire nation. He highlighted the team’s hard work and determination, emphasizing that their success exemplifies the potential for national unity and progress, irrespective of diversity. President Tinubu then conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on all the players, as well as their officials, signaling the government’s recognition of their outstanding contributions.
In addition to the prestigious national awards, each member of the Super Eagles team and their officials were also presented with a plot of land and a flat in an undisclosed location in the Federal Capital Territory. This generous gesture from the Federal Government serves as a token of appreciation for the team’s dedication and achievement at the AFCON tournament.
During the event, President Tinubu singled out defender and vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong, who was named Player of the Tournament, praising him for his resilience and skill on the field. He also acknowledged forward Victor Osimhen as a crucial asset to the team, describing him as a ‘Trojan horse’. Furthermore, President Tinubu commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their role in nurturing and preparing the team for success.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, lauded the government’s unwavering support for sports, hailing President Tinubu as the most sports-supporting president in Nigerian history. Enoh also recognized the NFF for ensuring a smooth and crisis-free participation in the AFCON tournament, a noteworthy achievement in the realm of Nigerian sports.
Responding on behalf of the team, Ekong expressed gratitude to the President for the prestigious awards and gifts. While reflecting on the team’s performance, Ekong expressed hope for an even greater triumph in the future, affirming the team’s determination to strive for gold in the next competition.
The Federal Government’s generous recognition and appreciation of the Super Eagles marks just one among several tokens of gratitude from the nation. Prior to the final game of the tournament, the Progressive Governors Forum bestowed a monetary reward of N250 million on the team for their outstanding representation of Nigeria on the international stage.
The reception at the Council Chambers was attended by various high-ranking government officials, including the Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and other distinguished guests. The event served as a moment of national pride and celebration, as the Super Eagles were rightfully honored and celebrated for their remarkable achievement at the 2023 AFCON.
