Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder and chairman of BUA Group has said he will go ahead with his promised $500,000 gift to Nigeria’s Super Eagles, despite their 4-2 loss to Morocco on penalties.
The billionaire philanthropist made the promise on Wednesday night after the cracker that saw the Moroccans move to the final, trying for their first AFCON trophy in 50 years.
“To our brave Super Eagles,” Rabiu posted on X almost immediately after the match.
“You fought with your hearts, gave your all, and showed true courage and determination on the pitch. Though it wasn’t meant to be this time, you have made every Nigerian proud.
“Sometimes, even our best efforts don’t bring the outcome we hope for, but the spirit, passion, and unity you displayed are what truly matter. You left everything on the field, and that is worthy of celebration.”
The industrialist said he was going ahead with the gift despite the loss to reward the Eagles’ hard work and dedication.
“As a token of appreciation for your remarkable journey and effort, I am still going ahead to fulfill the pledge of $500,000 USD. This is in recognition of your hard work, dedication, and the joy you have brought to our nation,” he said. “Keep your heads high, Super Eagles – the experience, lessons, and spirit will fuel even greater success next time. Nigeria will always be proud of you, and we believe in your future victories.”
Read also: Nigeria vs Morocco
Nigeria will now face Egypt on Saturday for a third place play off while Morocco will face Senegal on Sunday for the final.
Temi Bamgbose
Temiloluwa, the Online Editor of BusinessDay, is a transformative editorial leader with over 10 years of experience driving digital growth and innovation in media. He leads initiatives in leveraging technology to enhance storytelling and build high-performing teams. Temi is passionate about harnessing tech to inform, engage, and empower communities, with a demonstrated history of creating award-winning solutions that bridge the gap between media and technology.
