Praise, knocks as Tinubu pays N12bn sports debts
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to pay the outstanding debts owing to Nigeria’s national teams in a number of sports, including the Super Eagles, totaling N12 billion, has been met with conflicting responses thus far.
During his thanksgiving ceremony at Ikom, Cross River on Saturday, Minister of Sports Development John Owan-Enoh said that Tinubu, in a clear commitment to sports development, approved the backlog of unpaid invoices that are due for the national teams and coaches of different sports.
“The senior team national coach has not received payment for fifteen months; the salary is approximately $1.350 million,” he stated. The president has approved the full amount of outstanding allowances and promises that the senior national team and other national teams, consisting of women under 20, owed, totaling about N12 billion. What he has done is the best approach to demonstrate leadership and support.
Additionally, Tinubu’s Media Center’s X handle verified the approval of the unpaid bills in a statement on Sunday.
The statement said: “President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12 billion that is still owed to Nigeria’s national teams, including the Super Eagles and other teams that compete in different sports.
“The payment comprises paying allowances and commitments owed to the senior national teams, women, and Under-20 national team, as well as clearing the senior national team coaches’ salary for up to 15 months.
“This is happening while the Nigerian Super Eagles are getting ready to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to begin later this month.”
Nigerians, however, had differing opinions on the gesture.
On social media, some users praised Tinubu, while others attacked the president.
“This is massively indeed commendable so our president is bringing back the glory of our sport sector unlike the lazy of Daura,” remarked Nasir Iliyasu Dangago.
‘Damilare Adewale continued, ‘This is commendable! Bravo.
Juicy GrapeVine praised the president, saying that harboring resentment will only consume you. Call out the government when it makes mistakes, and applaud it when it does well. I support this action and think Nigeria will advance.
Babs SnR thinks that this payment will give the Super Eagles more confidence as they start their campaign in Ivory Coast on Sunday in hopes of winning their fourth Africa Cup of Nations championship.
