House host Eagles at special session …Tambuwal charges team not to allow trophy leave Nigeria

Saturday 25 May 2013 15 Rajab 1434

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House host Eagles at special session …Tambuwal charges team not to allow trophy leave Nigeria

Category: Sports Published on Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:00 Written by Turaki A. Hassan

Members of the victorious Super Eagles team and technical crew pose for photograph with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during the reception in honour of the team at State House Abuja on Tuesday.

The House of Representatives yesterday held a special session in honour of members and technical crew of the victorious Super Eagles in its hallowed green chambers.

The session began at 11:50am when House Leader Rep. Mulikat Adeola-Akande (ACN, Oyo) moved a motion suspending relevant House rules to admit the Eagles into the chamber.

Addressing the session, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described the victory of the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2013 as a new beginning in the history of soccer in the country.

“This victory is a lesson, in self confidence rather than arrogance, a lesson in self respect, a lesson in sheer doggedness, a lesson in personal sacrifice in the promotion of national interest,” Tambuwal said.

Our correspondent reports that this is the first time a victorious sports team is given the privilege of being hosted to a special sitting of a chamber of the National Assembly since the return to democracy in 1999.

The team led by the Director General (DG) of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji, NFF chairman, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and Head Coach, Stephen Keshi was ushered into the House chambers by Chief Whip, Hon. Ishaku Bawa and deputy minority leader Suleiman Kawu Sumaila.

In a brief remark, Coach Stephen Keshi said the team would continue to do everything possible to make the country and Nigerians proud.

Also speaking, NFF chairman, Aminu Maigari thanked the speaker for hosting them and promised that henceforth they will seek the assistance of the National Assembly on key football issues.

On Tuesday night, President Goodluck Jonathan hosted the victorious team at the Presidential Villa, during which he rewarded the team with cash, national honours and plots of land in Abuja.

Super Eagles Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi pocketed N10 million, each player and the three assistant coaches got N5million while the technical officers got N2million each.

Besides, the President decorated the Head Coach with the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON), Assistant Coaches and the Captain of the team; Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) while all other players received; Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

The President went on to declare other well-meaning Nigerians’ reward for the Super Eagles with Tony Elumelu, Emeka Ofor, Jim Ovia and Alhaji Rabiu Samad giving $500,000 each.

Communication guru, Mike Adenuga Jnr dished out $1m to the players and another $200,000 for the Chief Coach while Aliko Dangote splashed out $1m to the team as well.