Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross River State has pledged houses for players and officials of the victorious Golden Eaglets to be located within the state’s new housing estate scheme in Akpabuyo in Calabar.
The Governor informed his ecstatic guests during a special session held on their behalf inside the council chamber at the Governor’s office Friday night with the full complement of the state’s executive committee including Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham in attendance.
Also present were the Sports Minister|-Chairman National Sport Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi; DG NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Adamu Gumba, Senate Sports committee chairman, NFF’s President, Aminu Maigari who led other board members alongside 1st Vice Mike Umeh. Muazu Suleiman, Ahmad Muazu-Kawu, Musa Amadu (Secretary General) and Director Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme to the event.
Governor Imoke said it was necessary to break away from the norm in order to give a befitting future to the players as well as their officials hence the state’s was duty-bound in rewarding the team with properties instead of monetary largesse.
“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 amidst shout of Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! “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.”
The Governor further informed that the team is one big family following his interaction with players and officials when he rode on their bus after winning the World Cup in Abu Dhabi and was very proud of the fact that Cross River State provided the platform towards their success.
“As we bask in the euphoria, I don’t want us to forget the fact the success of this team was not by accident,” noted Governor Imoke.”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.”
Indeed, players and officials of the team were shocked beyond words over Governor Imoke’s gesture but Salihu Ali-Baba who spoke on behalf on their behalf summed it up:” We are grateful for this wonderful gift from His Excellency, who is our father and we pray that God will also
help you fulfil all your own aspirations in life.”
