The Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has rewarded Nigeria Premier League champions, Enugu Rangers players and their coaches with N 41.5m and plots of land at the Rangers Estate in Enugu on Monday.
Ugwuanyi announced the rewards at a reception in honour of the team at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu.
There were also individual prizes for some members of the team, with midfielder Obinna Nwobodo winning the Best Player award and captain Okey Odita lifting the Best Behaved Player award. Christian Mmadu was rewarded for emerging as the Most Consistent Player.
The coach of the side, Imama Amakapabo, also received an individual reward for winning the league title for the first time since 1984.
Some former players of the club were also honoured at the event, which was witnessed by a large crowd.
Former goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala, former captain and current Technical Director of the outfit, Christian Chukwu, and Dominic Nwobodo were honoured.
Speaking at the event, Ugwuanyi noted that Rangers won the league title “after 32 years in the wilderness”.
He commended the players and the coaching staff for the achievement.
Special Guest of Honour at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, described Rangers as a “movement”.
Commending the government and people of Enugu State for Rangers’ emergence as the league champions, the Sultan noted that the club meant a lot to the Igbo, and not just the people of Enugu State.
He explained that he became a supporter of Rangers about 39 years ago, while he served as an army officer in Nsukka.
The Sultan said, “Every Igboman should contribute to the success of the team so that they can continue to win. Rangers does not belong to Enugu State alone.”
The founder of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, attributed Rangers’ victory to the prayers of the players.