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The victorious Nigeria ‘Super Eagles’ contingent arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday aboard a chartered Arik Air flight to the thunderous applause of a welcoming party.
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At a reception organised by the Nigerian government, President Goodluck Jonathan announced cash prizes as reward for winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, with N10 million for Stephen Keshi, the coach of the team and N5 million each for his five assistants. The players will also receive N5 million each for bringing the trans-continental cup home.
The president also announced the conferment of national honours on the players and their coaches. Coach Stephen Keshi was made Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, while his assistants became Officers of the Order of the Niger (OON). The 23-strong squad were each conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Cash and national honours handed out; the Federal Government was not done as it also allocated a plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory to all the players and their coaches.
The president, who announced cash donations from other Nigerians, including $1million from Mike Adenuga (Jnr) to be shared amongst the players and $200,000 to Stephen Keshi, while Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, donated N5 million to each of the players. Other cash donations included $500,000 each from Emeka Ofor, Jim Ovia and Tony Elumelu.
President Jonathan told members of the team that their victory in South Africa has, “put a spring in our steps, golden smiles on our lips and has indicated that Nigeria is a land of opportunities.” He added:
“Not many people believed you could win. In spite of the scepticism, there was no despair.”
Speaking just before announcing the various gifts, President Jonathan described the team’s victory as an “awesome” one for which the team deserves praise.
“In this pre-centenary year, victory in South Africa is the most precious gift the Super Eagles have presented to the nation”, the president said, adding: “Your victory is a good indication that there is victory for us as we work hard to transform Nigeria. We will continue to give sport its pride of place. The major lesson of your victory is that no matter the number of people who doubt you, never doubt yourself”.
The president told Stephen Keshi: “You have my full support” adding that “qualification of the team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is your next agenda and you must not fail”.
