24 years after, FG delivers house gift to Bonfrere Jo, ex- Super Eagles coach

The Federal Government has fulfilled its 24 years long promise to the former Super Eagles Assistant Coach at the Tunisia 1994 African Cup of Nations, Mr Johannes Bonfrere, by handing over a three bedroom apartment to him on Tuesday.

It also apologised to Bonfrere for the 24 years delay stressing that the former Super Eagles coach did not get an allocation or legal document.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola who handed over the apartment’s keys to the former Coach in Abuja yesterday, said the gesture will inspire Super Eagles at the forthcoming World Cup.

Also,he noted that the donation and the change mantra implied that a 24-year problem can be solved.

“Let me on behalf of the President apologise to you that it has taken so long for the Nigerian government to come through. We thank you for your contributions to the development of our country, our youth, football and to say that it is better late than never. Nigeria always come through, we have come through for you.

“It is proper that with just few days to another world cup, Nigeria fulfills and redeems this pledge and i hope that this will serve as an inspiration to our players going to the world cup and the officials that this government will be there for you all the way.

“Ordinarily, this ought to be a short meeting but if it take 24 years for the government of the country to respond to its citizens, it must assume a news making event but this is consistent with the commitment that the President has made that once again, he will make Nigerians proud of their country, this country should always be there to respond to needs and expectation of the citizens,” he said.

The minister, who expressed dissatisfaction on failure of past administration said the kind gesture is better late than never.

He traced the poor attitude to 38 years ago when ex- Nigerian players were promised homes at Festac town in Lagos State but could not get the legal land titles until 2017.

He described the players including Best Ogedengbe, Emmanuel Okala, Martins Eyo as competent ‘Green Eagles’ who became Super Eagles and should be well honoured.

“The matter does not go back to 24 years. It actually go back to 38 years and i will tell you why. I’m sure that we are familiar with names like Emmanuel Okala, Martins Eyo, Tunde Bamidele, Kadiri Ikana, John Orlando, Best Ogedengbe, Late Mudashiru Lawal and Segun Odegbami. Those were the green eagles, who became Super Eagles after winning the first nation’s cup for Nigeria.

“They were promised houses in Festac and other parts. In their case, they received their allocations but they didn’t have any document until April 2017, 38 years after that they finally got letters of allocation during Buhari administration. What it simply shows is that President Buhari is committed to solving any problem no matter how old,” Fashola added.

He told Bonfrere of the National Housing Programme currently ongoing in 34 states across the federation meant to reduce housing deficit and commended the former coach for his endurance.

In his remarks, he stated that the gesture will encourage sport men and women to to aspire extraordinary accomplishments knowing that their achievement will not go unrecognised.

He applauded the federal government for fulfilling its promise and wished the super eagles excellent performance in the forthcoming world cup competition.

“As a coach that was directly involved in the 1994 African Cup of Nations and 1996 Olympic soccer gold medal victories, i crave for an impressive performance of our super eagles in Russia and offer my support to the team and technical staff,” he said.