To celebrate securing a spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the deputy Senate president, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has gifted players of his club, Barau FC, 35 motorcycles and N17.5 million.
He announced the donation yesterday during a reception in honour of the club’s players and management in Kano.
The club recently gained promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and will open their debut campaign in the elite league against two time African champions Enyimba FC of Aba on August 23.
Each of the 35 players received a brand new motorcycle and N500,000 for their achievement. The ceremony also marked the unveiling of the club’s new Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso.
Senator Barau, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ismail Mudashir, praised the players and the club’s management, urging them to bring home the Premier League title.
“There is no doubt that the club has witnessed remarkable achievements within a short period. From Academy to NLO, from NLO to NNL, and now to this significant milestone of the Premier League. Your success is a victory for Nigerian youth. We can’t thank you enough,” he said.
Senator Barau added that his dream is to see the team on the continental stage by next year, with some players competing in the world’s best international clubs.
He announced that 25 new players from various clubs and a technical adviser in the NPFL have been engaged to elevate the club to the next level.
“Nowadays, football is not just a game, but a means of earning a living. We want to take you to the international stage. That is my goal. Some of you may aspire to play for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and other international clubs. We have created this platform for you to excel in football.
“Our new signings are among the best in the Nigeria Football League. Some of them are not even from Nigeria, so we have already gone continental. Likewise, our Head Coach is the best,” he stated.
The Deputy President of the Senate, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, told the players, “If you bring home the Premier League title, I will reward you with a car.”
Earlier, the president and chairman of Barau FC, Shawwal Barau Jibrin, along with Ibrahim Shitu Chanji, commended the Deputy President of the Senate for his tremendous support of the club.
The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Youths and Sports, Comrade Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, remarked that history will never forget Senator Barau’s positive intervention in the development of Nigerian youth.
