Football Likes Me...... Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his promise to reward athletes who made the country proud from 1985 to 2015.

President Buhari gave the assurance on Monday at the State House, Abuja, when the Hon Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung presented to him the Glo/ CAF Platinum Award  which he received on his behalf at the CAF Awards held last Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

While receiving the trophy and the certificate, the President expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the awards.

" I was in office when the National U-17  team won the maiden edition of the FIFA World Cup in 1985 in China. Thirty years after, I am being presented again with a trophy won  by the Golden Eaglets in Chile and the Africa U-23  Championship won by the Dream Team VI in Senegal. Surely, football likes me" President Buhari said.

Earlier,  Barrister Solomon Dalung who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa also presented a plaque from 'Friends of Buhari' to Mr President. The Minister said that all the awards were given to him for his good leadership since he assumed office as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

" We are here to present to you all the awards and trophies for your exemplary leadership since you assumed office. The awards are also a reflection of how your good leadership has brought about change also in the sports sector. We thank you, your Excellency, for your support and we promise to follow in your footsteps of rewarding athletes for excellence" Dalung said.

Machinery is already in place to ensure that all athletes who are yet to receive the Presidential reward are not left out. The date for the Presidential award for athletes has been fixed for January 21, 2016.