By ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI
Indications emerged last week that Nigeria’s Super Eagles, not minding their wonderful outing at the AFCON 2013 that ended two days ago went to South Africa on a budget sourced via loans and series of borrowings. Abuja Metro can disclose that the National Assembly did not appropriate any funds for the country’s foremost football team in the 2012 budget.
A very senior member of the Joint National Assembly Sports Committee told Abuja Metro that no fund was allocated for the Cup of Nations in the 2012 budget which should have taken care of the tournament which normally holds in January.
“There was absolutely no appropriation for the African Cup of Nations in the 2012 Appropriation Act. We are not sure whether this was an oversight on the part of either the NFF or the Sports Ministry but when we made enquiries, we were told that all friendly matches, including our campaign in South Africa were all sourced on loans,” he said.
The National Assembly, it was gathered, has only appropriated funds for the Super Eagles and their officials in the 2013 budget, which has not even been assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan. The National Assembly submitted details of the N4.987 trillion 2013 budget to the Presidency two weeks ago.
