SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MOHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE RECEPTION FOR NIGERIAN ATHLETES AND OFFICIALS WHO DID THE NATION PROUD AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS, BANQUET HALL, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA. JANUARY 21, 2016.

COURTESIES

It gladdens my heart to play host to our dear athletes and officials who have consistently done the nation proud at various international competitions.

Nigerian athletes, despite prevailing challenges, have always proven to the rest of the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable.

On behalf of all Nigerians, I wish to specially express my appreciation and indeed that of the nation to our athletes and officials for the consistency, determination, willpower and penchant for success being witnessed in the sports sector in recent times. I urge the managers of this sector to keep up the momentum.

I wish to assure you that the Federal Government of Nigeria would not relent in its efforts to ensure that our sportsmen and women continue to excel in international competitions. I am particularly concerned about our participation at the forthcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games. We must not allow a repetition of the unsavoury experience at the London 2012 Olympics where Nigerian athletes failed to make it to the podium.

This Administration’s policy of “change” must reflect in the way we do things either as individuals or institutions. We must strive to be prudent in the way we manage our time, financial and material resources to ensure victory at the next Olympics. We must aim for optimal performance at all international competitions.

Your Excellencies, Great Nigerian Athletes, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to remark that today’s event is very special to me because, Almighty Allah has, in His infinite mercies and love, kept me alive to this day and granted me the privilege of being able to fulfill my promise in 1985, to reward the winners of the maiden edition of the FIFA U-17 World Championship.

The reason for the 30 years delay is well known. It is however sad to note that a member of the 1985 Golden Eaglets is not here with us today. Please join me in observing a one-minute silence in honour of Kingsley Aikhionbare who died in London, in 1996.

It is a well known fact that so much water has passed under the bridge between 1985 and now. The State governments that were to implement most of the pledges to the players and officials have changed hands so many times under different dispensations and political parties.

In line with our belief that the “labour of our heroes shall not be in vain” we will be saying thank you to our 1985 Golden Eaglets’ players and officials by using the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports template for rewarding outstanding athletes.

As you are all aware, the financial resources of our nation have been dwindling since last year. Hence what we are offering you today, is not payment or compensation for winning laurels for your country, rather, it is a token of appreciation for your efforts and patriotism while competing for your fatherland.

In this connection, I have the honour, on behalf of the Government and sports loving Nigerians to announce the following as token of our appreciation to our sports ambassadors:

2015 World Wrestling Championship
Beneficiaries
Amount
Wrestler (Bronze medallist)
₦1,200,000.00
Coaches
₦600,000.00


FIBA 2015 Male Afro-Basketball Champions, D’ Tigers

Beneficiaries
Amount
Players (Gold medallists)
₦600,000.00
Coaches
₦600,000.00
Team Officials
₦250,000.00


2015 FIBA Africa U-16 Female Championship
Beneficiaries
Rate
Players (Silver medallists)
₦400,000.00
Coaches
₦400,000.00
Team Officials
₦150,000.00


2015 IPC Asian Open International Powerlifting Championship
Beneficiaries
Rate
Gold Medallists
₦600,000.00
Silver Medallists
₦450,000.00
Coaches
₦450,000.00
Team Officials
₦250,000.00

World English Language Scrabble Champion
Beneficiaries
Rate
Player (Gold Medallist)
₦1,500,000.00
Coach
₦1,200,000.00
Team Secretary
₦450,000.00

WBC Silver Cruiser Weight Title
Beneficiary
Rate
Winner (Title Holder)
₦1,500,000.00

2015 CAF U-23 Cup of Nations Champions
Beneficiaries
Rate
Players (Gold Medallists)
₦500,000.00
Head Coach
₦500,000.00
Assistant Coaches
₦300,000.00
Other Team Officials
₦300,000.00

2015 FIFA U-17 Male Football Champions
Beneficiaries
Rate
Players (Gold Medallists)
₦1,200,000.00
Head Coach
₦900,000.00
Assistant Coaches
₦600,000.00
Team Secretary
₦300,000.00
Medical Team
₦300,000.00
Other Officials
₦200,000.00

1985 FIFA U-17 Male Football Champions
Beneficiaries
Rate
Players (Gold Medallists)
₦2,000,000.00
Coaches
₦1,500,000.00

Late Aikhionbare’s Next of Kin should collect his money on behalf of his family.

Thank you all and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Report From http://www.viviangist.com/buharis-list-of-token-to-sports-ambassadors-with-presidential-speech-at-the-event

Cc; lalasticlala is amazing

Thank you Buhari , Although IGBO , But i like ur Activities

More On http://www.viviangist.com/buharis-list-of-token-to-sports-ambassadors-with-presidential-speech-at-the-event

PMB, you try whella. At all at all na him bad.

Giving financial reward in January is a great thing. January has always been a month of 'No money' .

Atleast, the token has it is called will do something for some of them and will do alots of things for some.

Thank u Baba even though u never pay me my 5k monthly allowance

"list of money" epic blunder

This is enough!
Only if it wont stop!

Fair enough


The nba guys should pls take it in good faith I know they deserve more

ok

Ok

Did not read the long epistle. I only went through the cash reward. It's fair enough.

Change

Amberon:
"list of money"
epic blunder

Stop criticizing nd correct him if u have any

Good gesture by Mr President but why would Under 17 players collect N1.2m and their coach Amuneke get less at 900k abi na because him be Omo Nna and also our senior National Basketball team who won the Afro Championship got 600k (Too much preference for footballers)

The coaches deserve more to encourage them to groom talents from scratch.

How stingy can you be op, you create thread be the 1st to comment and the mods swiftly move it to permanent site





lalasticlala seun I demand xplanation y the op's thread hit FP lyk say she dey una to move her thread to the throne of grace

he try

gud one my able presido!!!.....soo wey all dos wey dey make noise say na only 20k PMB give u-17 dem??...hahahahaa.....ihere megbuokwe enemies of progress

To me, I think anything less than a million is not enough

Buhari is an angel

As much as I dnt like PMB, I will say the truth. He tried in this case. I just pray it won't enter voice mail o when this guys cash their money from the bank

I thought some people said Buhari only gave u-17 20K?

vivianblog3:
Thank you Buhari , Although IGBO , But i like ur Activities

More On http://www.viviangist.com/buharis-list-of-token-to-sports-ambassadors-with-presidential-speech-at-the-event

How many account you get sef?

Fair enough.
God bless Mr president
God bless Nigeria

vivianblog3:
Thank you Buhari , Although IGBO , But i like ur Activities

More On http://www.viviangist.com/buharis-list-of-token-to-sports-ambassadors-with-presidential-speech-at-the-event

Why the although igbo? We Nigerians dear and I'm 100% in support of him..Also igbo too

Tho if he's going the wrong way we'll question him

ibietela2:


How many account you get sef?

Seun won't see that one o. Shebi na Vivian? She's the only person that can open five accounts with no wahala.