Cross River State Governor Liyel
Imoke has promised the victorious
Golden Eaglets players houses.
The houses are to be located within the
state’s new housing estate scheme in
Akpabuyo, Calabar.
The Governor revealed his plans for the
Coach Manu Garba-led team during a
special session held on their behalf
inside the council chamber at the
Governor’s office on Friday night.
Governor Imoke said the State’s gesture
is aimed at giving the players as well as
the officials a befitting prize for the
future, such as properties which will
serve them even after their retirements.
“I’m not going to announce any largesse
to you, rather we are going to give
players and officials of the team a
befitting property in our new housing
scheme where work is already ongoing,”
the Governor said.
“We want to partner and invest in you
because we believe this kind of
investment would yield better dividends
in the future even if you no longer want
anything to do with football.”
Senator Imoke also revealed his
interaction with the team, when he rode
on their bus, after clinching a record
fourth Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the
UAE, proved to him the unity within the
victorious side, adding he is very proud
of Cross River state’s contribution to
their success.
“As we bask in the euphoria, I don’t
want us to forget the fact the success of
the team was not by accident,” he noted.
“Success is different from luck but it is
earned; and we would like to celebrate
this team in a different way because it
was here in Calabar that it all started.”
The players and officials of the team
were shocked beyond words by the
Governors gesture.
“We are grateful for this wonderful gift
from His Excellency, who is our father
and we pray that God will also help you
fulfill all your own aspirations in life,”
Salihu Ali-Baba, sho spoke on-behalf of
the team, said.
It was a full complement of the state’s
executive committee at the council
camber including Deputy Governor
Efiok Cobham in attendance.
Governor Imoke’s gesture has earned
him praises from notable stakeholders
like the Sports Minister, Bolaji
Abdullahi, and the President of the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),
Aminu Maigari.
