EXTRA: Senator says recovered loot should be used to fund Super Eagles

Sam Anyanwu, senator representing Imo east, says all monies found in cupboards and holes should be used to fund Super Eagles’ outing at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

In the last two years, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered monies from unusual places. — like the case of Andrew Yakubu, a former group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

A very popular case is that of Andrew Yakubu, a former group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who allegedly hid $9.8 million at his brother’s house in the slums of Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna metropolis.

Contributing to a debate on a motion congratulating the Super Eagles on their victory against the Zambia team on Saturday, Anyanwu suggested part of monies recovered should be used to sponsor the team’s flight tickets and match bonuses.

The motion was sponsored by Joseph Ogba, senator representing Ebonyi central.

“You [Saraki] were a source of inspiration and motivation for the team. Your presence gave a boost to the morals of the players,” Anyanwu said.

“Football is the only thing that brings Nigerians together. It is important to note that we always succeed at the early stage but when we go into the real stage, we have issues. Now that we still have time to prepare for the world cup, it is important that we use the money recovered – so that they don’t say the players don’t have money for bonuses and flight tickets.

“It is important that all these monies that have been scattered even the ones in the cupboards and in the pit holes should be brought together for preparation to make Nigeria proud. I believe proper motivation and funding will be the best for them.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki asked the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to judiciously manage the funds released by Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

“As we all know when you qualify for world cup, FIFA releases a significant amount of money to NFF and over the years the money has been squandered which is about $10 billion,” the senate president said.

“It is important that NFF judiciously manage the funds.”