The Senate has received a petition from Bonfrere Jo, former coach of Nigeria’s men’s national football team, over the alleged refusal of the Lagos State Government to release a property awarded to him following the country’s gold medal victory in the football event at the 1996 Olympic Games.
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Under Bonfrere’s guidance, Nigeria defeated Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina to win the historic gold medal in Atlanta, becoming the first African nation to achieve the feat.
In a petition submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and copied to the Senate Committee on Sports, the football coach, through his lawyers, T.O. Adejoh and Company, asked the upper chamber to investigate the matter.
The petition urged the Senate to summon the Lagos State Government to explain why the land allegedly allocated to Bonfrere by Col. Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd), the then Military Governor of the state, has not been handed over.
It also requested the Senate to “take necessary steps, including pressuring the Lagos State Government to release or reallocate another befitting plot commensurate with the achievement of the team.”
Speaking after submitting the petition, Eze Okechukwu, media aide to Bonfrere, said all the players and other coaching staff had received their allocations except the coach.
He listed Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West, Emmanuel Amuneke, and Tijani Babangida among those who confirmed receipt of their rewards.
Okechukwu questioned why Bonfrere’s allocation remains outstanding, stressing that the achievement recorded in 1996 “has never been equalled by any Nigerian coach.”
He expressed confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing him as a committed supporter of sports development.
According to him, Akpabio understands the significance of international sporting accolades and would “ensure that the right thing is done.”
Okechukwu added that Bonfrere had made several attempts to resolve the matter directly with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but was unable to secure an audience.
He noted that the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South, had also attempted to intervene before his death.
Okechukwu said he believes Governor Sanwo-Olu would review the matter when fully informed, describing him as “a sports-loving leader.”
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