By Chidi-Ebere Moneme (South East Nigeria).
The Anambra State governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), over the weekend gave directive for the payment of #100, 000 (A hundred thousand Naira) monthly stipend to the 73 Ex Rangers International players that visited him.
He said the measure is the state government’s way of assisting the Ex Rangers players.
The governor stated this when Ex players of Rangers International Football Club paid him a courtsey visit at the Governor’s lodge, Amawbia Awka, over the weekend.
He equally gifted the ex Rangers players with 50kg bag of rice and #200,000 naira cash gift each.
Governor Soludo further promised to help them with their medicals by registering them with the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHA), so that they can access health care facilities at the Teaching hospital Amaku Awka, free of cost.
He described the old Rangers International players as living legends that deserve nothing short of celebration for making the Nigerian Nation proud in their active playing days.
The governor who was delighted to receive the Ex players also described Rangers International Football Club as part of the Nigerian identity, the pride of the people, who galvanized and lifted the spirit of the people of the Eastern region after the Nigeria civil war ended in year 1970.
He relived the days when football was used to douse tension, saying that they used to watch with great delight and admiration when Rangers were playing with other clubs in his youthful days.
The Anambra State governor added, “In tandem with a stanza in the nation’s National Anthem, the labours of the heroes past should not be allowed to be in vain”.
“Aside from government assistance, the private sector and their respective communities can also help to ensure that such people who are beacons in the society are not forgotten”.
Earlier in his speech, the former State Commissioner for information, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, who led the players on the visit, reminisced on the history of Rangers International Footbal Club immedieatly after the civil war, citing them as the pride of the East Central state.
The ex Rangers players on their part expressed love and support for governor Charles Soludo, praying that his second term bid will see the light of the day.
The likes of Emmanuel Okala, Christian Chairman Chukwu among others were present during the visit, attended by Chief of staff to the governor Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, Principal secretary to the governor Barr Joachin Anaeto, Mr Patrick Onyedum, among others.
UP RANGERS…..NEVER SAY DIE.
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