Former Nigeria Star Slams Government Over Plot of Land, ₦1.5 Million After Eight Years, Wants Action
- Plateau United’s 2017 title-winning players still await ₦1.5m and land promised by ex-Governor Simon Lalong
- Ex-player Jerome Dung revealed many of his teammates are struggling financially despite being owed millions
- Dung has appealed to the current Governor Caleb Mutfwang to step in and honour the long-overdue promises
Plateau United’s 2017 NPFL victory remains a landmark moment in Nigerian football, but for the players who made it happen, it has become a symbol of frustration.
Jerome Dung, a member of Plateau United’s 2017 NPFL title-winning team, has called out the Plateau State Government over eight years of unfulfilled promises.
Source: UGC
According to Daily Post, the former midfielder expressed his frustration that the players, coaches, and technical crew have yet to receive the ₦1.5 million cash rewards and plots of land promised to them by then-Governor Simon Bako Lalong, eight years after their historic feat for the state.
Dung took to social media to vent his displeasure, noting that what should have been a source of pride had turned into disappointment for him and his former teammates.
“Eight years have passed since we defied all odds to win the league in the 2016/2017 season for our beloved Plateau United FC, aka Lalong Boys,” he wrote.
“Governor Simon Lalong was thrilled by our performance and promised us ₦1.5 million each and a plot of land in appreciation. Despite this, eight years have gone by and we have yet to see that money or the land.”
According to Dung, technical adviser Kennedy Boboye was promised ₦2.5 million, while other backroom staff were to receive ₦2 million each. None of these pledges has been fulfilled.
Plateau United ex-players struggling to survive
Dung, who played for Plateau United from 2014 to 2020 before moving to Switzerland in 2022, revealed that the delay has left many of his former teammates in financial distress.
Source: Getty Images
He cited the heartbreaking example of late coach Audu Pele, who passed away after his family could not afford medical care, The Niche reports.
“This is the reality some of my teammates and coaches are facing.”.
“It is heartbreaking that a historic feat for Plateau State is remembered with broken promises.”
The former midfielder stressed that 23 of the 45 players in the title-winning squad were not even from Plateau State, yet they gave everything to deliver the historic trophy.
Appeal to Governor Mutfwang
Dung urged Plateau State’s current governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to intervene and ensure the pledges are honoured.
“We simply want what we worked hard for and deserve. This was the first league title in the club’s history, and it should be remembered as a victory for the state, not as a story of neglect.”
Ex-international accuses NFF of neglect
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Super Eagles legend Taribo West has expressed displeasure over how late Peter Rufai was treated before, during, and after the legendary goalkeeper’s death.
In a viral video on X, the Inter Milan legend said the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Government abandoned Rufai despite his sacrifice for the nation.
Source: Legit.ng
