At a state dinner organized in honour of the victorious Super Eagles and the team’s three assistant coaches that clinched the gold medal in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan announced a cash gift of N5m to each member of the team.
While the Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, was given N10m, members of the technical crew were also given N2m each.
In a well attended ceremony at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, the President also announced that each member of the team and the technical crew would be allocated a plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Announcing the national honors, President Jonathan conferred Coach Stephen Keshi with the honour of Commander of the order of Niger while the assistant coaches and captain of the team, Joseph Yobo were conferred with Officer of the Order of Niger. Other members of the team were conferred with Members of the Order of Niger.
The President described the players as super heroes, saying their victory was an inspiration to millions of Nigerians. He added that the trophy was the most precious centenary gift presented to the nation by the team.
He however commended their efforts for ignoring criticisms and refusing to surrender by their excellent performance.
The president emphasized that the feat achieved by the team was an indication that “we must not let our differences define us” noting that whether it was “Moses or Musa, Christopher of Mustapha” that scored, it did not matter to Nigerians
In his speech, the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi said the victory of the Super eagles “is another moment of national rebirth. It is a breath of fresh air.
As we celebrate, we are not unmindful of the responsibilities this bestows on us. We waited for nineteen years. We cannot wait for that long again.
“We have won it and I congratulate the president. Winning this trophy is not destination. The sporting arena is complex. We should put all the years of rancor and acrimony behind us and stop creating problems where none exists.
The victory has shown that with determination and unity of purpose, we can achieve” he said.
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