The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said on Tuesday the donation of three-bedroom apartment to the former Super Eagles Assistant Coach during 1994 African Nations Cup in Tunisia, Mr. Johannes Bonfrere, would inspire the Super Eagles at the forthcoming World Cup in Russia.
Fashola said during the short meeting prior to the handing over of the apartment keys, Abuja that the donation and the change mantra actually implied that a 24-year problem can be solved.
He apologized to Bonfrere for the 24 years delay, stressing that the former Super Eagles coach did not get an allocation or legal document.
“Let me on behalf of the President apologise to you that it has taken so long for the Nigerian government to come through. We thank you for your contributions to the development of our country, our youth, football and to say that it is better late than never. Nigeria always come through, we have come through for you.
“It is proper that with just few days to another World Cup, Nigeria fulfills and redeems this pledge and I hope that this would serve as inspiration to our players going to the World Cup and the officials that this government would be there for you all the way.
“Ordinarily, this ought to be a short meeting but if it take 24 years for the government of the country to respond to its citizens, it must assume a news making event. But this is consistent with the commitment that the President has made that once again, he will make Nigerians proud of their country, this country should always be there to respond to needs and expectation of the citizens,” he said.