Former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amunike has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the distribution of houses to the remaining members of Nigeria’s iconic 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad.
Speaking in an interview , Amunike confirmed he had received his own house allocation but stressed the need for others to also receive theirs without further delay.
“You mean the 1994 houses? I have received mine long ago,” Amuneke said. “They should hand over to the others now. Let them do it.”
His remarks come amid the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to fulfil a 30-year-old promise made to the victorious 1994 Super Eagles team following their historic AFCON triumph in Tunisia.
As part of this pledge, former Nigerian striker Efan Ekoku was recently allocated a house in Abuja. Ekoku was represented by his niece, Lisa Jenifer Nwagbogun, at the brief presentation ceremony. The allocation letter was handed over by Pemi Temitope, Director and Head of the Public Building and Housing Development Department, on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Temitope described the gesture as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to honouring those who brought glory to the nation through their patriotic service.
In her acceptance remarks, Nwagbogun expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Housing for following through on the decades-old promise.
“I am deeply grateful to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Housing for fulfilling this long-standing pledge to my uncle,” she said. “It is truly heartening to witness such commitment to integrity and follow-through. This gesture not only honours Mr. Efan Ekoku’s service but also restores faith in the value of public promises being kept.”
The housing allocations stem from a commitment made in 1994 after the Super Eagles defeated Zambia 2–1 in the final to win Nigeria’s second AFCON title. The squad, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “Golden Generation,” included football greats like Amuneke, Ekoku, and several others who helped elevate Nigerian football to global prominence.
Although the promise remained unfulfilled for nearly three decades, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved its implementation in 2022. Since then, efforts have been underway to allocate housing units to members of the squad across various states and the Federal Capital Territory.
As calls grow for the government to complete the long-overdue process, Amuneke’s appeal underscores the importance of honouring national heroes in a timely and transparent manner.
