FG fulfills 30-year promise, allocates houses to 1994 Super Eagles heroes

By Dayo Awoniyi

In a long-overdue but historic gesture, the Federal Government of Nigeria has finally fulfilled its 30-year-old promise by allocating houses to members of the iconic 1994 Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

The announcement was made via a statement from the National Sports Commission, marking a moment of long-awaited justice for the team that brought glory to Nigeria under the leadership of coach Clemens Westerhof and captain Stephen Keshi.

The squad, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Dream Team,” featured legendary players such as Rashidi Yekini, Mutiu Adepoju, Sunday Oliseh, and Efan Ekoku.

The promise to reward the players with houses was first made by former President Sani Abacha following their AFCON triumph in 1994.

However, the pledge remained unfulfilled due to years of administrative and bureaucratic delays.

Former striker Efan Ekoku was among those who recently received a house allocation letter, with his property located in Abuja. The fulfillment of this decades-old commitment was met with joy and relief by the beneficiaries.

“This is a significant moment in my life,” Ekoku said.

The 1994 AFCON victory was a defining moment in Nigerian football history as the team’s unity and performance became a source of national pride and inspired a generation of players and fans alike.

Despite their achievements, the players waited nearly three decades to receive the recognition and reward they were promised.

In its statement, the Ministry of Sports emphasized that the fulfillment of this promise demonstrates the government’s renewed commitment to honoring the contributions and welfare of Nigerian athletes, both past and present.

The move is seen not only as a moral victory for the players but also as a significant step in restoring public confidence in government promises to sportsmen and women.

As the 1994 squad members begin to receive their homes, the gesture stands as a powerful symbol of perseverance, recognition, and the enduring legacy of a team that united a nation.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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