Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike has splashed the cash on players and officials of Rivers United for finishing 2nd in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.
In a lavish dinner party at the Banquet Hall of the Rivers State Government House, Wike in company of members of the State Executive Council as well as the likes of Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, Monday Sinclair, members of the House of Assembly pronounced cash gifts on the team.
“Each player and member of management of the team will take home the sum of five hundred thousand naira,” the governor said.
“The coach of the team, Stanley Eguma will take home the sum of one million naira and these monies will be due to them on Monday morning.”
The governor also promised a luxury bus to the team ahead of the next football season and a coaster bus to the supporters club of the team.
Rivers United, founded on February 19, 2016 after a merger between Sharks and Dolphins FC will be competing in the Caf Champions League for the first time in their history.
Rivers State have a history of hosting football teams who do well. In 2001, players of Dolphins FC got five hundred thousand naira each for winning the FA Cup as a 2nddivision side. Dr. Peter Odili was the governor then.
In 2004, Dolphins players got one million naira each and a Volkswagen Polo car for winning the League and Cup double. Dr. Peter Odili was still the governor then.
In 2006, Dolphins got one million naira each for winning the FA Cup with Odili, still governor of the state and in 2007, the players got One million naira each and a Kia Cerrato car each for winning the FA Cup with Sir. Celestine Omehia as State governor.
Under the governorship of Rt. Honorable, Rotimi Amaechi, Sharks won the West African Football Union, WAFU Cup and the players got one million naira and a Nissan Sunny car each and in 2011, still under Amaechi Dolphins and Rivers Angels won their respective leagues.
Dolphins got one million naira and a Nissan Sunny car each while Rivers Angels got a Ford car and five hundred thousand naira each.