President
Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has fulfilled his promise to Nduka Ugbade
and Nigeria’s U-16 national team that won the maiden edition of the FIFA
Youth Championship.
Buhari also splashed out cash on Nigerian
athletes that have done the country proud in football, basketball,
wrestling, scrabble, others.
At a reception held at the Banquet
Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the lanky number one
citizen of Nigeria lauded the athletes for their heroics.
In his
speech, he said: “It gladdens my heart to play host to our dear athletes
and officials who have consistently done the nation proud
at various international competitions.
“Nigerian athletes,
despite prevailing challenges, have always proven to the rest of
the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable.
“On behalf of
all Nigerians, I wish to specially express my appreciation and indeed
that of the nation to our athletes and officials for the consistency,
determination, willpower and penchant for success being witnessed in the
sports sector in recent times. I urge the managers of this sector to
keep up the momentum.
“I wish to assure you that the Federal
Government of Nigeria would not relent in its efforts to ensure that our
sportsmen and women continue to excel in international competitions. I
am particularly concerned about our participation at the forthcoming Rio
2016 Olympic Games. We must not allow a repetition of the unsavoury
experience at the London 2012 Olympics where Nigerian athletes failed to
make it to the podium.
“This Administration’s policy of
“change” must reflect in the way we do things either as
individuals or institutions. We must strive to be prudent in the way we
manage our time, financial and material resources to ensure victory at
the next Olympics. We must aim for optimal performance at all
international competitions.
“Your Excellencies, Great Nigerian
Athletes, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to remark that
today’s event is very special to me because, Almighty Allah has, in His
infinite mercies and love, kept me alive to this day and granted me the
privilege of being able to fulfill my promise in 1985, to reward the
winners of the maiden edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.
“The
reason for the 30 years delay is well known. It is however sad to note
that a member of the 1985 Golden Eaglets is not here with
us today. Please join me in observing a one-minute silence in honour
of Kingsley Aikhionbare who died in London, in 1996.
“It is
a well known fact that so much water has passed under the bridge between
1985 and now. The State governments that were to implement most of the
pledges to the players and officials have changed hands so many times
under different dispensations and political parties.
“In line with
our belief that the “labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”
we will be saying thank you to our 1985 Golden Eaglets’ players and
officials by using the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports template for
rewarding outstanding athletes.
“As you are all aware, the
financial resources of our nation have been dwindling since
last year. Hence what we are offering you today, is not payment or
compensation for winning laurels for your country, rather, it is a token
of appreciation for your efforts and patriotism while competing for
your fatherland.
In this connection, I have the honour, on behalf
of the Government and sports loving Nigerians to announce the following
as token of our appreciation to our sports ambassadors:
2015 World Wrestling Championship
Beneficiaries Amount
Wrestler (Bronze Medallists) N1,200,000.00
Coaches N6,000,000.00
FIBA 2015 Male Afro-Basketball Champion, D’Tigers
Beneficiaries Amount
Players (Gold Medallists) N600,000.00
Coaches N600,000.00
Team Officials N250,000.00
2015 FIBA Africa Under 16 Female Championships
Beneficiaries Amount
Players (Silver Medallists) N400,000.00
Coaches N400,000.00
Team Officials N150,000.00
2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship
Beneficiaries Amount
Gold Medallists N600,000.00
Silver Medallists N450,000.00
Coaches N450,000.00
Team Officials N250,000.00
World English Language Scrabble Champion
Beneficiaries Amount
Player (Gold Medallist) N1,500,000.00
Coach N1,200,000.00
Team secretary N450,000.00
WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title
Beneficiary Amount
Winner (Title Holder) N1,500,000.00
2015 CAF Under 23 Cup Of Nations Champions
Beneficiaries Amount
Players (Gold Medallists) N500,000.00
Head Coach N500,000.00
Assistant Coaches N300,000.00
Other Team Officials N300,000.00
2015 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions
Beneficiaries Amount
Players (Gold Medallists) N1,200,000.00
Head Coach N900,000.00
Assistant Coaches N600,000.00
Team Secretary N300,000.00
Medical Team N300,000.00
Other Officials N200,000.00
1985 FIFA Under 17 Male Football Champions
Beneficiaries Amount
Players (Gold Medallists) N2,000,000.00
Coaches N1,500,000.00
Late Aikhionbare’s Next of Kin should collect his money on behalf of his family.
Thank you all and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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