Jerome Dung, a former player of Plateau United Football Club of Jos and a member of the squad that won the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) title for club in 2017, has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding unfulfilled promises made by ex-Governor Simon Bako Lalong.
The players were promised rewards of 1.5 million naira each and plots of land following their historic victory.
The team, affectionately known as the “Lalong Boys,” overcame significant challenges during the 2016/2017 season, ultimately securing the club’s first NPFL title. During a celebratory reception, Lalong pledged to reward all 45 players involved with financial incentives and prime land in Jos.
In addition to the players’ rewards, promises were made to the technical staff, with then-technical adviser Kennedy Boboye set to receive 2.5 million naira, while other crew members were promised 2 million naira each.
However, eight years on, neither the players—many of whom have since left the club—nor the coaching staff have received the promised rewards. This situation has led to growing frustration among former players, who have now called upon the current administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to fulfil these commitments.
In a heartfelt appeal shared on social media, Dung, who played as a midfielder for Plateau United from 2014 to 2020 before moving to Switzerland in 2022, lamented the hardships faced by his former teammates and coaches. He highlighted the tragic story of Coach Audu Pele, who died due to financial constraints preventing his family from affording necessary medical treatment.
“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,” Dung stated. “Governor Simon Lalong was thrilled by our performance and promised us 1.5 million naira 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.
“We’ve been patient, but the funds continue to elude us. Of the 45 players in our team, 23 were not from Plateau, yet they fought valiantly alongside us to achieve this historic feat, which deserves recognition as one of the great accomplishments of Lalong’s administration and for Plateau State.”
Dung further noted that many of his former teammates are now either retired or struggling to find clubs, putting their livelihoods in jeopardy as they support their families.
“I have mentioned in previous posts and videos on social media that I don’t care where the rewards come from; we simply want what we worked hard for and deserve,” he concluded.
