It has been 6 years that the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Michael Okpara square on Monday 19th of December 2016 rewarded NPFL side, Rangers International for winning the Nigerian Professional Football League of the 2015/2016 season. A league victory that ended the Flying Antelopes’ 32 year wait for a national glory which was done in style and emphatically. A huge achievement by the Imama Amakapabo-tutored side.
Among the reward by the State Governor was cash gift of 41.5 million to the Rangers team. Aside the cash approved for the team, the governor also gave the players and their staff a plot of land each in a newly designed Rangers Estate in Enugu. This announcement was made in the presence of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar who himself is an avid supporter of Rangers FC, having started his military career in Nsukka.
Many football pundits and stakeholders thanked the Governor for his kind gesture to the team that brought joy once again to the state and South East. But that is where the joy ended. 6 Years after the land pledge was made, no member of the this title winning side is yet to receive anything from the state Governor.
Some stakeholders are urging the governor to redeem his pledge to this team now more than ever because he is getting set to leave office. These players and management staff according to these stakeholders have been patient enough and deserved to receive their rewards accordingly.
There are big question marks over the Rangers Estate. If the estate was designed and named after the title winning side, why have players not received their promised reward? For some of these players and management staff, fullfilment of this reward will aid them in a very big way and as such that cannot be understated. Many will continue to hope that the sports-loving state Governor comes around and fullfils his promise.