Chukwu, Kpakor Thank Fashola For Honours

Former Nigeria internationals, Moses Kpakor and Christian Chukwu, have hailed Lagos State Governor, Raji Babatunde Fashola for honouring ex-players of Nigeria’s oldest and prestigious knock-out competition, the Federation Cup.

Gov. Fashola had on Saturday, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, venue of this year’s Federation Cup final honoured some living Legends of the tourney.

Kpakor, who was one of the honoraries, in his appreciation to the kind gesture of the Governor said: “As one of the beneficiaries, I’m extremely grateful to Gov. Fashola, for his sincere vision which added colour to the Confederation Cup final. His action is worth emulating in every sense of the word by other Governors in all the states of the federation.

“For him to honour those of us that had excelled in the competition in the past, I think this is happening for the very first time in the history of Nigeria, and it’s really exciting and motivating.”

Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, while responding on the monetary compensation given to them, opined that the honour bestowed on them is more than the cash gifts of #200,000 they were given.

“I think the honour is more valuable than the cash awards. This is a society where people are honoured only when they are dead, but today (Saturday) we have been honoured in a red carpet. I’m most grateful for the Governor of Lagos State, who deemed it fit for posthumous honours for those of us that had died. While those of us that are still alive are also remembered. I also want to thank God for someone like the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola. He is a great sportsman because he deemed it right to remember people like us. May God continue to bless him and the entire people of Lagos State for remembering us while we are still alive,” the ex-Rangers captain said.

Others that were honoured included, former Insurance captain Victor Oduah; Ismaila Mabo, Muyiwa Oshode; ex-Shooting Stars forward, Segun Odegbami; Sani Mohammed, late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, who won the Federation Cup- formerly known as Challenge Cup and FA Cup- seven times.

Also, Haruna Ilerika, coaches Alabi Aisien and Amodu Shuaibu; ex-Stores keeper, Peter Rufai; and veteran football analyst, Fabio Lanipekun.