After their remarkable performance at the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where they secured a second-place finish, the Nigerian President held a meeting with the players in Abuja on Tuesday which had Victor Osimhen in attendance.
During this gathering, President Tinubu announced the bestowal of national awards, specifically the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), to each player as a token of recognition for their achievements on the international stage.
Amidst the celebrations surrounding the Super Eagles’ national honour, one player stands out for his unique recognition. Victor Osimhen, an exceptional striker of the Super Eagles squad, will retain his Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) title, which was conferred on him by the immediate past president, Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) during activities to mark the 2023 democracy day celebrations.
The decision to uphold Osimhen’s MFR honour is commonsense as MFR holds a higher rank than the MON title in order of importance. Osimhen’s recognition as an MFR recipient underscores his significance not only within the realm of football but also as a representative of Nigerian sports excellence on the global stage.
Recall that In a historic feat last season, Osimhen played a key role in Napoli’s Serie A title victory after 33 years. The 25-year-old also set a new record as the highest-scoring African player in Serie A, surpassing George Weah of Liberia. This earned him accolades from all over the globe – he secured fifth and eighth positions for the 2023 FIFA Best Men’s Award and Balon d’Or respectively, and very recently was awarded the prestigious CAF’s Best Player Award (male).
In addition to the prestigious national honours, the players were also granted flats in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and parcels of land, further highlighting the government’s appreciation for their contributions to placing Nigeria in global relevance.
The delegation accompanying the players to the presidential meeting was led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, and included officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).