Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has pledged to provide N50 million and other non-cash rewards to Rangers International Club of Enugu for winning the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League trophy.
Mbah made the pledge when he hosted the club at the Government House in the state capital, Enugu, on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Rangers won their last league match for the season in Jos, where they beat Gombe United 2-1.
They were officially crowned champions, having earlier won the title by thrashing Bendel Insurance of Benin 2-0 in their week 37 league encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on June 13.
Mbah said he was doling out the gifts as a proud father whose children came back from school with a distinction.
He told them that the history of Rangers would not be told or completed without them as they had their names affixed in that indelible sand of history of the club.
According to him, the players and their crew members brought honour and so much pride to the state.
The governor said: “Rangers International transcends generations, acts as a unifying factor to many and so it is not just about winning a trophy and making us proud, but putting Enugu State in the heart and minds of the people of this country and beyond.”
The governor commended the Club Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, and other crew members for their commitment and team spirit.
Mbah said: “So I want to end by saying that you have made us proud and we would in turn also make you happy.
“We are going to provide the sum of N50 million and other non-cash rewards that we have planned for all of you.
“I am going to be speaking with your General Manager for those non-cash rewards that will impact your lives and immortalise you.”
Mbah pledged more support for the club that would lead them to places and bring glory to Enugu, assuring them of the development of sports in the state.
In his remarks, Ezeaku extolled the passion Mbah had for the club, saying the governor’s presence in Jos to watch the match with Gombe United served as a motivation to them.
He noted that since the inception of Rangers in 1970, past governors took the club like pets, but Mbah took them like special pets, which was in line with his disruptive innovation mantra.
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Ezeaku recalled that Rangers played outside the state for two years due to bad pitch, but Mbah came and restored it, leading to the successes the club recorded.
Presenting the trophy to Mbah, the General Manager said: “Before you is the eighth season’s title and second major title in the last 38 years.
“Under your watch, the Rangers jersey was instituted at the FIFA Museum and made known to Africa football headquarters at Cairo in Egypt.”
He added that with Mbah, their trips were made easier and corporate sponsors were approved, which led to the success story of the club.
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