Akwa Ibom State Government, under the leadership of the Chief Godswill Akpabio, yesterday made Palm Sunday a triumphal one for members of the Super Eagles team that won the AFCON title in South Africa as he doled out a whooping N37.5m to the team at a ceremony held in honour of the team at the Banquet Hall of the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo.
A breakdown of the sum will see each member of the 23-man squad recieve N1m, while the head coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, will get N2m and the three assistant coaches-Daniel Amokachi, Sylvanus Okpala, Ike Shorunmu N1m each for their good job behind the scene. N8.5m will be shared among the 17 support members of staff of the team as they will get N.5m each. However, home-boy and Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama in addition to his N1m, was also given a 3-bedroom flat in a choice estate that he prefers.
The governor said he was rewarding the team because of its hard work that led to its winning the trophy in South Africa, noting that the players performance was, to a large extent, an encouragement to the youths. He prayed to God to continue enabling the team to be winnning its matches not minding the 1 – 1 draw it played against the Harambee Stars of Kenya. Governor Akpabio charged the team to be focused and take all their games in the World Cup qualifier serious. “We appreciate the efforts put up by the players, their coaches and backroom staff as well as the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and say we’re proud of them all. But we must say here that God had a hand in the Eagles because we prayed for them and God answered our prayers.
We’re happy that the Eagles are here in Uyo because this a place of blessing where transformation is the word for us. The state is ready to assistant the NFF to achieve her goals.” An elated Vincent Enyeama thanked the governor for his gift and promised that they would continue to give their best for the country. The NFF’s President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, while thanking the governor and people of Akwa Ibom State, paid glowing tributes to the governor for playing host to the NFF General Assembly as well as the national Under-17 Golden Eaglets, but like Oliver Twist asked that the state should not get tired of giving them the needed assistance.
Aside the cash award for the Super Eagles, all members of the team save for Daniel Amookachi who was unaviodably absent were given an official orange colour jersey by the governor.
SUN
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