Government’s Reward For Super Eagles

The mind-boggling cash gifts splashed out on the national football team players and officials that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa early in February by the Federal Government is a wrong way of incentivising those who have done the nation proud.

It is excessive and perverted as there are standards of rewards for successful athletes in more sober climes where public funds are handled with the utmost sense of responsibility and accountability.

Eagles’ reward: Is it justifiable to so spend public funds?

from a disappointing start, the Super Eagles went on to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Like all Nigerians, I rejoiced. But until.

Until the federal and state governments went – in my opinion – overboard in rewarding the victorious team.

I think we need a public debate on the propriety of lavishing public funds on a football team, in the name of national pride.

So far, we’ve seen the following (government) cash promises: more than N100m from the Federal Government, more than N80m from the Delta State Government, and N54m from the Lagos State Government. I’m sure there are others I’ve missed out.