It’s been over a decade since Nigeria lifted the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, with the Tremendous Eagles, led by the late Stephen Keshi and captained by John Mikel Obi, introduced the title house after a protracted drought.
Within the pleasure of the victory, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, pledged $1 million to reward the workforce. However 12 years later, that cash continues to be nowhere to be discovered.
This query now echoes louder than ever: When will Dangote pay?
Aliko Dangote with a pending promise
Aliko Dangote isn’t just rich, he’s traditionally rich. For the 14th straight yr, he tops Forbes’ record of Africa’s richest people. With a web value of $23.9 billion, he’s not solely the richest African but additionally the wealthiest Black particular person on the earth.
An enormous leap in his fortune got here just lately, due to the launch of the Dangote Refinery, the most important of its sort on the continent.
Whereas his enterprise empire spans cement, sugar, and now oil, his rising affect in world finance stands in sharp distinction to 1 long-standing situation: the $1 million he promised the nationwide workforce has by no means been delivered.
How he made the promise
After Nigeria’s victory in South Africa in 2013, Dangote’s pledge was greater than a monetary gesture, it was symbolic. It was meant to indicate appreciation and assist for the gamers who lifted the spirit of a complete nation.
And on the time, it felt real. However because the years handed and the gamers continued to attend, that gesture started to look extra like empty PR than a real reward.
Mikel Obi, alongside along with his teammates, has since moved on along with his profession, however the disappointment stays. Much more painful is that Stephen Keshi, the coach who led the workforce to glory, handed away with out ever seeing the promise fulfilled.
Elumelu within the practice
Sadly, Dangote isn’t alone. Tony Elumelu, a distinguished Nigerian banker and philanthropist, additionally made a $500,000 pledge to the victorious squad. Like Dangote, his promise stays unfulfilled to today.
For a lot of Nigerians, these cases symbolize greater than particular person lapse, they mirror a broader development of damaged guarantees within the sports activities sector.
The person who truly paid
In sharp distinction, Japanese surgeon Dr. Katsuya Takasu made headlines in 2016 when he fulfilled a $390,000 pledge to Nigeria’s Olympic soccer workforce inside hours of their bronze medal win in Rio.
He didn’t anticipate ceremonies or fanfare, he merely acted. That gesture, coming from somebody with no nationwide ties to Nigeria, uncovered the hole nature of guarantees made by among the nation’s wealthiest residents.
Takasu grew to become an emblem of integrity. He stored his phrase and earned the respect of many Nigerians. In the meantime, Dangote and Elumelu proceed to face public scrutiny for his or her silence.
So, When?
As Dangote’s wealth continues to climb and Nigeria’s financial system struggles, the query turns into tougher to disregard. Why hasn’t he paid? Is it a case of forgetfulness, paperwork, or just lack of curiosity? Solely he can reply that.
However for the gamers who put their our bodies on the road to deliver glory to the nation, the silence stings. And for Nigerians watching from the sidelines, it’s a irritating reminder that even in moments of nationwide delight, follow-through isn’t assured.
So we ask once more, when will Dangote pay the $1 million he owes the Tremendous Eagles?
As a result of a promise, particularly one made within the highlight of nationwide achievement, shouldn’t be this straightforward to neglect.
