Non-Recognition: Injured Soldier Faults Tinubu for Lavishing Gifts on Super Eagles after AFCON 2023

Non-Recognition: Injured Soldier Faults Tinubu for Lavishing Gifts on Super Eagles after AFCON 2023

  • President Bola Tinubu has been called out for honouring the Super Eagles for their African Cup of Nations outing
  • The president was called out by a soldier on social media who vented his frustration about how they were being treated despite putting their lives on the line
  • The soldier claimed that he sustained a gunshot injury serving Nigeria on the war front as he released an x-ray of his injury

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

A Nigerian soldier named Adie Paul has criticised President Bola Tinubu's choice to reward Super Eagles players with houses, land plots, and national honours for their second-place finish in the African Cup of Nations.

He expressed disappointment that soldiers on active duty, like himself, aren't receiving similar recognition despite their sacrifices.

Read also

AFCON: After getting national honour, FG makes fresh request from Super Eagles players

The entire squad of the Super Eagles have been honoured with national award.
President Bola Tinubu and other top members of his cabinet received the Super Eagles at the Aso Rock. Photo Credit: @AfolabiBB
Source: Twitter

Paul, who suffered a bullet wound while serving in the North East, vented his frustration on social media.

He wrote:

“Even Ahmed Musa wey no kick ball once for AFCON follow collect flat, land and OON. Wonderful times.
“Yet, as a soldier, I stayed in the North East fighting Boko Haram for four years plus, I was shot, and I am still carrying the bullet in me till date, not even a medal from the Army/Nigeria government.”

On Tuesday, February 13, Tinubu awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) to each player of the Super Eagles squad who achieved a Silver medal at AFCON.

The 25-man squad and the coaching crew were also gifted plots of land and apartments, as declared by President Tinubu.

Read also

AFCON 2023: Ahmed Musa gets higher award as Tinubu confers national honours on Super Eagles

AFCON 2023: Nigeria’s senior player blames Super Eagles’ loss on coach’s tactics.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has been blamed for Nigeria's defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

A senior member of the Super Eagles squad, Kenneth Omeruo, said the tactics of the coaching staff cost them the title.

He said that the Eagles' defensive strategy and failure to create impactful offensive plays were factors in their loss.

AFCON 2023: Osimhen missing as CAF releases team of the tournament

In another report, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen missed out on the CAF team of the tournament for the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.

Three Super Eagles players - Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong and Ademola Lookman made the list.

PUMA Golden Boot award winner Equatorial Guinea striker Emilio Nsue beat Osimhen to the top nine spot.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Segun Adeyemi avatar

Segun Adeyemi (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Segun Adeyemi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience as an active field reporter, editor, and editorial manager. He has had stints with Daily Trust newspaper, Daily Nigerian, and News Digest. He currently works as an editor for Legit.ng's current affairs and politics desk. He holds a degree in Mass Communication (Adekunle Ajasin University). He is a certified digital reporter by Reuters, AFP and the co-convener of the annual campus journalism awards. Email: segun.adeyemi@corp.legit.ng.