Mixed reactions continue to trail President Bola Tinubu’s approval to clear the outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams in various sports, including the Super Eagles to the tune of N12bn, The PUNCH reports.
The Minister for Sports Development, John Owan-Enoh, during his thanksgiving service at Ikom, Cross River on Saturday disclosed that Tinubu in a clear commitment to sports development has approved the backlog of outstanding payments that are due for the national teams and coaches of various sports.
He said, “The senior team national coach has not been paid for 15 months, the salary is about $1.350 million. The senior national team and other national teams; females, under 20 had a backlog of unpaid allowances, unpaid promises, and all of that piling up close to about N12bn, the president has approved all of that payment. There’s no better way to show support and leadership than what he has done.”
Also, an X handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre, on Sunday, in a statement confirmed the approval of the outstanding payments.
The statement read, “President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others.
“The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.
“This is coming at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is billed to start later this month.”
The gesture however received mixed reactions from Nigerians.
While some sections of social media users commended Tinubu, others lashed out at the president.
Nasir Iliyasu Dangago wrote, “This is massive indeed commendable so our president is bringing back the glory of our sport sector unlike the lazy of Daura.”
Adewale ‘Damilare added, “This is laudable! Kudos.”
commending the president, Juicy GrapeVine said, “Being bitter will only eat you up. When a government errs, call them out; when they do right, commend them. I applaud this move and believe Nigeria will progress.”
Babs SnR believes this payment will help boost the confidence of the Super Eagles who begin their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Ivory Coast on Sunday.
“Happy to hear this I hope this will boost the confidence of the Super Eagles,” he tweeted.
Adebare DuroBare added, “This is commendable… It is lovely, at least they will be happy and serve their father’s land well. Nice one Akanbi.”
Meanwhile, some sections of Nigerians shared different opinions.
Ikechukwu Ozi wondered why the athletes and coaches were owed in the first place.
“Let’s reason prevail, must government owe sportsmen/sportswomen, not to talk of such amount. After clearing this one, they would start mounting another huge debt….haba.”
Uar added, “I think the real question is how FG owed up to N12bn to only sports people?”
Abbeyor Leke also questioned the rationale behind the debts.
“People will start celebrating nonsense now why are you owning them first and will your government not owe them again?”
“This is not something special please, it is the same APC govt that refuses to pay them. Tinubu should do what is right for the country and stop telling us what’s not important. If you own person for the work e do, you no go pay am?” Jay wrote.
Royal Spotlight asked, “Wait o, there is a difference between cleared and promised to clear… Which one exactly?”
