At least 2,500 ex-Biafran soldiers and 64 former players of Rangers
International Football Club of Enugu have so far received about N62.5
million upkeep allowance from Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi.
The
governor paid ex-Biafran soldiers N5,000 each, while he gave former
Rangers players, many of who are down with ill health, amounts ranging
from N200,000 to N1 million to enable them obtain medical treatment
either locally or abroad, in addition to monthly stipends they received
from the state government.
While handling the cheques to chairman
of former Rangers players, Mr. Luke Okpala, for onward distribution to
his colleagues on behalf of the governor, Anambra State Commissioner for
Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, Governor
Obi’s gesture was to further recognize the heroic roles played by the
footballers immediately after the Nigerian civil war.
“Governor
Obi has observed that these people cannot be left to suffer after their
enormous contributions in helping to reintegrate Igbos into Nigeria
through sports after the war.
“The ex-Rangers players who receive
the monthly stipend are not limited to Anambra or Igbos alone, but all
the former players, whether they are from the old Bendel State, South
West or the North.
“In addition, the governor has secured an
office space for the former players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
for their meetings and social activities,” Uzodike said.
For the
ex-Biafran soldiers, the commissioner said the N5,000 was to give them a
sense of belonging as many of them could no longer fend for themselves.
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