The Super Eagles of Nigeria has been rewarded with a national award (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON) flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and piece of land.
President Tinubu made the pronouncement on Tuesday when he received the players and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The delegation is led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
The Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Côte d’Ivoire.
All the team members, clad in green attire, and officials were in attendance. They had earlier been hosted by the federal government
to welcome breakfast at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu 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.
He acknowledged the rigours that they had to deal with before getting to the finals.
“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 said
The President urged Nigerians to remain positive, emphasising that the Super Eagles had shown through their performance that the country remains a force to reckon with.