PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has assured 1985 Golden Eaglets, who first
won the U-17 World Cup, that his administration will fulfill the
promises made 30 years ago during a reception held at Dodan Barracks
with the players, in celebration of their outstanding victory.
In
a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,
Garba Shehu, Buhari said he decided to fulfill the pledge, having been
informed that a directive, which he gave to the state governments at the
time had not been complied with.
“It is a pity that those
promises were never fulfilled. It is unfortunate that our players, who
did us proud on the world stage went unrewarded for their efforts,
despite a presidential directive to the state administrators that they
be honored in their home states.”
According to Shehu, of the
various promises made to the players at the time, only the Federal
Government fulfilled its own commitment by sponsoring the players on a
trip to watch the 1986 World Cup, which took place in Mexico. The
houses, scholarships and naming of streets after each player were
supposed to have been catered for by the states.
The Presidential
media aide noted that shortly after the commitment was given, General
Muhammadu Buhari was replaced, and despite repeated representations made
to succeeding governments by the players and their officials, the
promises were left unfulfilled.
“I apologize for whatever
embarrassment and disillusionment in your country these raised and then
dashed hopes may have caused you. My government will do all within its
power to remedy the situation”, he assured.
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