By David Okoh
Members of Nigeria’s Super Eagles have officially received their national honours certificates, alongside housing and land allocations, as part of rewards approved by the Federal Government for their runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
The presentation took place on Monday, December 22, with a Federal Government delegation led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi. The delegation formally handed over the certificates of national honours and documents of land allocation to the players.
The rewards were in fulfilment of earlier commitments made by the Federal Government following the Super Eagles’ impressive campaign at the continental tournament, where Nigeria reached the final before losing to host nation Côte d’Ivoire.
Players and officials of the national team had previously been conferred with national honours, including the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), in recognition of their dedication, resilience, and performance during the tournament.
Other members of the Federal Government delegation included the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko; and President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau.
Addressing the players, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, who represents the Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, assured them of continued government support. He challenged the team to go one step further by winning the Africa Cup of Nations title at the next edition scheduled to hold in Morocco.
According to him, a tournament victory would prompt even greater rewards from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the players to lift the trophy and further cement their place in the nation’s sporting history.
