President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, met with the National team, the Super Eagles, where he announced national awards (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON) to each of them.
The honours bestowed on them also included flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and a piece of land.
The delegation to the presidency was led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh including officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
The Super Eagles came second in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Côte d’Ivoire.
All the team members were adorned in green attires.
Other officials spotted by our correspondent include Alex Iwobi, who had faced cyber attacks following Nigeria’s loss to Cote D’Ivoire at the final of the just concluded African Cup of Nations.
President Tinubu had in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale commended the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament, acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.
The President had urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasising that Nigeria won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world by grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.
“Let this passing event not dispirit us, but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.
“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the President had said at a Welcome Breakfast with the players.
The 25-man squad of the Super Eagles had arrived the Federal Capital Territory after their second-place finish at the just concluded African Cup of Nations final.
Nigeria lost 2-1 to host nation, Cote D’Ivoire in the AFCON final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Sunday.
Key players including Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Kenneth Omeruo, Joe Aribo and Williams Trost Ekong are at a welcome breakfast current ongoing at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Members of the coaching crew are also at the breakfast.