President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, presented the Super Eagles of Nigeria with national awards (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON), flats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and plots of land.
Tinubu made the announcement while receiving players and officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, led the Super Eagles delegation.
The Super Eagles were beaten by host nation Ivory Coast in the final of the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
All of the Super Eagles team members, dressed in green, and officials were present, including Alex Iwobi, who had experienced internet attacks following Nigeria’s defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the just concluded African Cup of Nations.
In a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Tinubu praised the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice in getting this far in the tournament, acknowledging the obstacles they overcame with steadily improving performance as they advanced to the finals.
Tinubu 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 disperse 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.
“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.
