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…“I Am Honoured” – Ekong Thanks President Tinubu for MFR Award
By Amaechi Agbo
The Federal Government has on Monday fulfilled its housing, land and national honours awards pledges to the Super Eagles squad that won silver at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
Members of the silver medal-winning squad were formally presented with documents for their houses and lands, as well as certificates of national honours—Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)—at the team’s camp in Morocco.
The presentation was carried out by top government officials, including Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, representatives of the National Sports Commission (NSC), and other senior officials.
Among the beneficiaries are several key players from the AFCON 2023 squad, including Victor Osimhen—who now plays for Galatasaray—Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi.
Others honoured include Stanley Nwabali, Zaidu Sanusi, Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka, Francis Uzoho, Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi.This was done through the National Sports Commission in Fez, Morocco, on Monday, almost two years after the tournament and just a day before the team’s opening game at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko led a powerful Federal Government delegation to the Super Eagles camp in Fes, Morroco where the delegation presented the title documents for the houses, certificates of national honour and confirmation of the plots of land in Abuja to the players and team officials from the class of 2024 comprising 45 persons.
The Federal Government delegation consisted of a representative from the Presidency, Mrs Nathan-Mash, Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Chairman of House Committee on Sports Hon. Kabiru Amadu, Malam Saleh Ahmadu and Nigerian Embassy Officials in Morocco among others.
Mallam Dikko reiterated the President’s commitment towards athletes’ welfare and a reward scheme aimed at motivating athletes to higher levels of excellence and explained that after all due processes are completed the rewards are now being delivered to the team as approved by the President.
His words, “What we have done here today is a demonstration of the shared prosperity disposition of Mr. President. The era of unfulfilled promises to the athletes is gone. As I am talking to you, the houses and National Honours Mr. President promised to the D’Tigreses and Super Falcons are ready for collection and payment of the Naira Equivalent of $100,000 USD promised to each of the players is being processed by the Minister of Finance and Accountant-General of the Federation for payment direct to the players’ accounts.”
The NSC Chairman also thanked the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of
Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, the Minister of the FCT, Nyeson Wike and the Minister of Finace and coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun for collaborating closely with the NSC in delivering the presidential awards as approved and directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
He added, “To whom much is given, much is expected. We want the Super Eagles and indeed, every Nigerian athlete to know that they have a President who cares and won’t allow their labour to be in vain in clear alignment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and Shared Prosperity Vision of the President. They should not relent in their efforts to bring honour to the nation as they should be rest assured the President would always be in the corner while the NSC would continue to work to ensure it provides the enablers for their success to the glory of Nigeria.”
Jose Peseiro, a Portuguese coach, led the Super Eagles to finish second at the 2023 AFCON, which was played between January and February 2024, losing 2-1 against the hosts, Côte d’Ivoire in the final.
President Bola Tinubu who hosted the team when they arrived in Abuja, honoured each player and official of the team with the Member of The Order of The Niger (OON) national award, as well as house and land gifts to each player and members of the backroom staff.
The housing pledge was fulfilled at the team’s base in Morocco on Monday, as they prepare to open their quest for a fourth continental title with a clash against Tanzania in Group C of the 2025 AFCON on Tuesday.
Super eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe confirmed the fulfilment via a WhatsApp message. “The Federal Government, through the NSC, has fulfilled its 2024 pledge on housing rewards to the Super Eagles,” he said.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, alongside NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Senator Abdul Ningi, also confirmed that the national honours were issued as MON or OON in line with existing awards already held by players, while the housing and land grants approved by President Tinubu have been fully processed, with Certificates of Occupancy issued.
Now under Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles are in Morocco with the charge to win a fourth AFCON title.
Super eagles in November missed out on the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico, after failing in the qualifying series and the African play-off.
“I Am Honoured” – Ekong Thanks President Tinubu for honour
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling the promised he made to the players in 2024 and conferring on him the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR.
Ekong who retired from the national team after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup last month, said that playing for Nigeria helped him to fuifil his dream.
“I am honoured and grateful to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for conferring on me the MFR national honour.
“I have been sent the official certificate today following the announcement last night. It’s a very proud moment for me and my family to receive this recognition.
“Nigeria gave me my identity, my purpose, and the platform to live my dream through football. Wearing the green and white has always been a great responsibility, privilege, and a promise to give everything for the badge and for our people,” he said.
He promised maximum support to the Super eagles as they began their 2025 AFCON campaign on Tuesday against Tanzania
“As our Super Eagles begin their AFCON journey today (Tuesday), I wish the team every success. As promised, I’ll be supporting them all the way. I believe in this group, our nation and what we can achieve. I am, and will always be, proud to be Nigerian.”
