By Felix Shammah
Erstwhile Super Eagles Coach, Mr. Clemens Westerhof, least expected that his reward for the honour and glory done to Nigeria
will ever come to fulfilment despite several promises as 25 years rolled away.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, on Monday brought joy down the cheek of the coach with redeemed of federal government’s pledged made to Westerhof, who led Nigeria to wining the all nations’ cup in 1994.
The Minister while redeeming the pledge, said: “On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is my pleasure to redeem this promise and present the documents to the house which is being renovated in readiness for occupation.
“But as I titled my remarks, this is more than a house. It symbolizes the commitment of the Buhari administration to right yesterday’s wrongs, redress yesterday’s injustices and bring Nigerians together.”
Fashola admitted that the game of football is a great unifier in Nigeria. It is one area where religion, ethnicity and the things that are used to stoke us to anger take a back seat.
It was the arena of expression of Clemens Westerhof in his service to Nigeria as our National team football coach, he added.
The Minister said Westerhof, ended our frustrating and unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the World Cup by qualifying the Super Eagles for their first World Cup in USA in 1994.
He said: “As the giant of Africa, we had not won the African Nations Cup since 1980 when we hosted it. Westerhof led us to victory in 1994.
“Many promises were made in our moment of euphoria and elation, one of which was the allocation of a house. That promise was never redeemed since 1994, a period of 25 years.
“This ranks high up there with: The payment of pensions of laid-off Nigeria Airways Workers who waited decades for justice, those who participated in the civil war who were denied their pensions for decades and the restoration of June 12 as Democracy Day.
In spite of the labels to the contrary, these actions of the Buhari administration clearly reflects the actions of a government of redemption, healing and unification, the minister added.
“On behalf of the President, I thank you for your service to Nigeria and proudly redeem the promise made to you 25 years ago. I am happy that you are alive to receive it personally. It is indeed better late than never.” The minister said.