11th June, 2014
Members of Nigeria’s Super Eagles have identified with Greater Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, a humanitarian project of former Nigerian international, Paul Okoku.
Captain Joseph Yobo, midfieder John Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike and other players of the team paid glowing tributes to Okoku for his effort to put smiles on the faces of less privileged children in the Nigerian society with the Greater Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, which is co-sponsored by coach, Stephen Keshi.
The support for the foundation came during Okoku’s visit to the Eagles’ camp in Jacksonville, Florida, USA on Monday before they left for the World Cup in Brazil.
While declaring his support for the foundation, Yobo said: “Oh, sure, not a problem counting on my support with anything to put smiles on the faces of the underprivileged children in Nigeria, and thank you for your support in South Africa, during the AFCON finals.”
Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was equally excited to support Okoku and Keshi in their bid to alleviate the less privileged children. “I’m ready to support anything for my coach and the less privileged children in Nigeria.”
Keshi said he was willing to do more for the primary school he attended with Okoku. “We shall do more for the pupils at St. Paul’s Primary School, Ebute Metta in Lagos and other less privileged children across the country, after the World Cup.
I am back and fully committed to our humanitarian projects because we started this together in partnership with our doctor friends in the USA and Nigeria. We will continue to work together for humanity in Nigeria and also to better the lives of underprivileged children.”
In his reaction, Okoku, who was part of Nigeria’s silver medal outing at the AFCON 1983 in Ivory Coast said: “These guys are world class players on a World Cup bound mission, yet, they are so humble with a sense of professional decency.
They touched me with their respective comments and their attitude is a testimony that we are doing a good thing towards giving Nigerian children a future.
“It was a great moment sharing my time with the Super Eagles’ players, the chief coach, Stephen Keshi, and the coaching staff, at their Jacksonville, Florida, hotel, while they displayed their support for Greater Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. And, also to watch their last practice before embarking on their World Cup journey.
“It was a personal choice of conviction for these players’ deepest love they have for less privileged children to show it so magnificently.
“It simply showed the mutual respect that exists between the players and the coach to support our joint humanitarian projects and effort through Greater Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. That was admirable. It was equally and simply a gesture of goodwill for them in an unforced obligation.”