Buhari to host Eaglets, reward 1985 team

In from Nifemi Daniel . . .

Barring any last minutes change, the all-conquering Golden Eaglets of Nigeria may be received at the Aso Villa by the President Mohammadu Buhari on arrival from Chile.

The team which won the tournament for the fifth time will have a stopover at the United Arab Emirate before connecting another flight to Nigeria.

They are expected to be received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport Abuja by staff of the state house before being ushered to the Villa for the grand reception.

Sequel to this, the Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi was yesterday called to the Villa to prepare grounds for the team.

An elated Sanusi told journalists that he was rushing to the Villa to meet the President but was not sure the form of reception the team will get.

The Eaglets last Sunday defeated their West African counterparts, Mali to win the trophy for the fifth time.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the batch of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets who first won the Under-17 World Cup in 1985, that his administration will fulfil 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 released by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, President Buhari said it had been brought to his attention 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,” he said. “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 honoured in their home states.”

Read also: Golden Eaglets retain U-17 World Cup

The statement noted that, 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 statement noted that shortly after the commitment was given, the Buhari administration was replaced and that despite repeated representations made to succeeding governments by the players and their representatives, the promises made were left unfulfilled.

“I apologise 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 said.

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