The deluge of awards for Nigerian football players and administrators in recent months continued on Tuesday when Global Dream Foundation in concert with Ubachukwu Nnanna Foundation and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth And Students’ Matters declared the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, as the best federation President in Africa for 2013.
The impressive but brief ceremony was held at the Super Eagles camp in Bolton White Apartment, Abuja, with CHAN Eagles skipper, Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Daniel Akpeyi, Solomon Kwambe, Ejike Uzoenyi and Shehu Abdulahi all present.
The National Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Danjumah Attah, was on hand to receive the award on behalf of Maigari, while team Psychologist, Dr. Robinson Okosun, received the special award bestowed on the NFF by the tripartite body, which has been battling the malaria scourge in Africa.
Speaking at the occasion, Queen Esther Kanu, who is the face of the battle against malaria scourge in Nigeria, said Maigari, the NFF Executive Committee and indeed all officials of football teams in the country deserve a pat on the back in the outgone year for their consistency and the results that the teams have churned out in the course of last year.
Kanu said: “Indeed, our football at all levels has witnessed tremendous growth and the players and Alhaji Maigari have become role models to Nigerian youths who in the last few years have sought in vain people that they can to look up to.”
Other representatives, Uzor Nnachukwu and Sam Ekeh, spoke in a similar vein and wished that the national team will do Nigeria further proud and good by winning the forthcoming African Nations tourney, known as CHAN, in South Africa.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Benjamin Larbi, said he believes strongly that the Eagles will again win the CHAN tourney in South Africa, adding that the team’s consistency have been very impressive.
Larbi said the Eagles support for the kick-out malaria campaign has saved several lives in Nigeria and Africa and promised that the organisation will never relent in the drive to make Africa malaria free.
Maigari, through Attah, said the award will help to ginger him to greater heights in the New Year and called on Nigerians from all walks of life to support the national team and the fight against malaria elimination in the country and Africa.
All the players and officials, led by Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, ate and danced into the New Year with comedians and other invited dancers adding groove to the event.
The compere for the show, Christian Doherty, kept ribs cracking for the entire duration of the night as Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, prayed the team into the New Year with his prophetic comments and very distinct English accent.
Keshi thanked the management of the hotel for the occasion and told players that training resumes immediately on Thursday morning because of the CHAN task at hand.
Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Attah, praised the discipline that has enveloped the team since Keshi took over and said it will continue with the triumph at CHAN 2014.
Manager Special Duties of Bolton White, Chika Udeochi, aka Special, whose dexterity led to the successful organisation of the event alongside Apartment Manager, Vivian Nwosu, said the occasion was organised to help the national team unwind ahead of the CHAN tourney after daily rigorous training sessions.
“Bolton is a wonderful and lucky place for the Super Eagles and I can beat my chest to say when next we will be sitting down like this, it will be to celebrate the CHAN trophy win,” she said.
Trending
- Tinubu appoints renowned banker Jim Ovia as Chair of NELFUND
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC boss Olukoyede to face criminal trial for contempt of court
- President Tinubu appoint CEOs for two agencies
- Breaking: Veteran Yoruba actor, Ogunjimi is dead
- EX-PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS DEMISE OF SIDI ALI, DR. BAFFA YO
- Japa Crises: 58,000 of 130,000 registered doctors renewed licence, says MDCN
- 34-Km Ikorodu-Itokin Road Reconstruction: Gov Sanwo-Olu, Senator Abiru Pay Thank You Visit To Works Minister, Umahi, Make Case For Road Dualisation
- Yahaya Bello: EFCC Chairman’s conduct suggest vendetta, not fight against corruption – Concerned APC chieftains