konknaijaboy | On 17, Nov 2013

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke has promised the victorious Golden Eaglets players houses.

The houses are to be located within the state’s new housing estate scheme in Akpabuyo, Calabar.

The Governor revealed his plans for the Coach Manu Garba-led team during a special session held on their behalf inside the council chamber at the Governor’s office on Friday night.

Governor Imoke said the State’s gesture is aimed at giving the players as well as the officials a befitting prize for the future, such as properties which will serve them even after their retirements.

Governor Liyel Imoke is Proud of Cross River State Government’s Contribution to Golden Eaglets’ Success.

“I’m not going to announce any largesse to you, rather we are going to give players and officials of the team a befitting property in our new housing scheme where work is already ongoing,” the Governor said.

“We want to partner and invest in you because we believe this kind of investment would yield better dividends in the future even if you no longer want anything to do with football.”

Senator Imoke also revealed his interaction with the team, when he rode on their bus, after clinching a record fourth Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE, proved to him the unity within the victorious side, adding he is very proud of Cross River state’s contribution to their success.

“As we bask in the euphoria, I don’t want us to forget the fact the success of the team was not by accident,” he noted.

“Success is different from luck but it is earned; and we would like to celebrate this team in a different way because it was here in Calabar that it all started.”

The players and officials of the team were shocked beyond words by the Governors gesture.

Golden Eaglets Gets Houses in Cross River State.

“We are grateful for this wonderful gift from His Excellency, who is our father and we pray that God will also help you fulfill all your own aspirations in life,” Salihu Ali-Baba, sho spoke on-behalf of the team, said.

It was a full complement of the state’s executive committee at the council camber including Deputy Governor Efiok Cobham in attendance.

Governor Imoke’s gesture has earned him praises from notable stakeholders like the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari.