Chijioke Gabriel
The Federal Government has finally fulfilled its three-decade-old promise of house allocations to members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on the ministry’s website on Wednesday.
One of the beneficiaries, former striker Efan Ekoku, was presented with an allocation letter for a house in Abuja.
He was represented at the brief ceremony by his niece, Lisa Jenifer Nwagbogun.
The Director and Head of Department, Public Building and Housing Development, Pemi Temitope, presented the letter on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Temitope described the move as part of the government’s commitment to rewarding the patriotic service of the team, which brought honour to the nation three decades ago.
Nwagbogun said, “I am deeply grateful to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Housing for fulfilling this long-standing pledge to my uncle. It is truly heartening to witness such commitment to integrity and follow-through.
“This gesture not only honours Mr. Efan Ekoku’s service but also restores faith in the value of public promises being kept.”
It will be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of the 1994 housing pledge in 2022, 28 years after it was first made.
Housing units are being allocated to members of the team in various states, while some, like Ekoku, are receiving theirs in Abuja.