BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari is unhappy that players of Super Eagles are being owed allowances in their campaigns at the on-going African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
In expressing surprise at the ugly development, the President promised to resolve the matter immediately given that football remains a unifying factor in the country.
“We shouldn’t joke with it; if we bring back the cup; it will cement our relationship and that is one of it”, President Buhari spoke through the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
Governor Lalong opened up on the President’s feelings while speaking with State House correspondents on Monday after a private meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Governor Lalong, football is a unifying factor in Nigeria; hence players’ motivation must be taken seriously, adding that besides the Eagles’ plight, his visit was on behalf of Plateau State as well as the new Chairman of Northern Governors Forum (NGF).
“I came in to have a discussion with the President; of course many of you know I just came back from Egypt where we went to cheer the Super Eagles and I also brought him back the concerns of those players that are there.
“I think he promised to handle the matter immediately; football is a unifying factor in Nigeria; we shouldn’t joke with it; if we bring back the cup; it will cement our relationship and that is one of it.”
He further said; “Some of the concerns they raised is that many of their allowances were not paid and the President expressed surprise that he signed these allowances and they are not paid to them.
“I was a footballer and it is not like before when you play football out of patriotism; now it is combined with the economic aspect; but you bring people, definitely you must ensure; especially from the ministry that they are paid their allowances.
“We went there for the joy of it and the day we went there, they won their match and we left yesterday. I understand they lost.”
Governor Lalong, who will formally take over as the Northern Governors’ Forum Chairman on July 2 in Kaduna, said; “Defeating Guinea and expecting Madagascar to defeat us is a surprise; but I think with good motivation, these boys will bring back the cup.’’
He stated that there are plans to convene a Northern Security Summit immediately as part of efforts aimed at creating a roadmap for peace and security in the North.
On the proposed `Ruga’ Settlements Programme, Governor Lalong said `Ruga’ should not be anything that would bring controversy going by the level of sensitisation and awareness creation that have been undertaken.
The Plateau Governor, who is a member of the Food Security Committee and also a member of the Herdsmen/Farmers Committee, said; “We have gone a long way on this issue; and we have said that the only solution that can address the herdsmen/farmers problem is the Ranching Policy.
“Remember that at one time, we have gone far when some people called it Colony and it created controversy.”
Governor Lalong further stated that; “Again, we have gone far; and then we are hearing some other things; what they are talking is the same thing we are talking about.
“But they think when they mention ‘Ruga’, maybe, it is particular to a particular tribe; but what we are doing is all encompassing for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“I have said particularly in my state that animal husbandry, livestock rearing is not a prerogative of one tribe; everybody must get involved and that is what we have done in my state when we registered.’’
He said Plateau state is determined to establish structures that would encourage and train youths to key into the programme, noting that at present, permanent secretaries and retired civil servants who will also be involved in the programme are being trained.
The governor admitted that some states actually applied for the programme and that the Federal Government was imposing the ‘Ruga Settlement’ on any state.
“So, some of the states applied and we are at the pilot scheme; and some mischief makers will start bringing terms to cause confusion in the country; it very unfortunate”, Governor Lalong said.
He stated that the President “has not imposed on any state; it was voluntary and they said any state that is prepared to do that to address the problem of insecurity should come out and apply.” – With agency reports
