FORMER Golden Eaglets star, Victor Igbinoba, has paid homage to President Muhammed Buhari, for promising to redeem the promise he made to them more than 30 years ago when they won the maiden edition of the then Kodak FIFA Under-16 tournament in China. He described Buhari as the best thing to have ever happened to Nigeria.

An elated Igbinoba, who could not hold his joy while speaking to The Guardian on Tuesday from his base in Canada, said he was short of words when he read that the ‘Golden Boys’ of 1985 were going to be rewarded today, 30 years after that promise.

“I will not lie to you, the day I heard it, I did not believe it. I felt they have started again with their lies, and later I got signals that indeed it is true. The question I then asked myself was, ‘does it mean that something like this can happen again after 30 years?’

“I could not just believe it… but it is all coming true now. I would want Buhari to be the life president of this country if possible for what is about happening to us.

“I know making him a life president cannot be possible, but the man is great; I have never seen a thing like this before until now. But I know that what is happening now, is ordained by God. There is a hand of God in the emergence of Buhari as the President of Nigeria. I am a Christian, and I believe so much in my God. I do not just know how to express my happiness. I am so much overwhelmed,” the emotional Iginoba said.

The player, who scored the second goal to win the maiden Under-16 cup for Nigeria, expressed his disappointment that he would not be in Nigeria to celebrate with his colleagues.

“I got my invitation late and coming to Nigeria did not work out with my employee. I am sending my representative to the venue of the award on Thursday. We look forward to what will happen, but I know that God is going to use Buhari to bless this nation.

“Now I believe that the youths are going to put their minds more on whatever sports they are gifted at, at least with this new development. Many youths have been frustrated because they see officials using and dumping them when they can no longer compete. But there is a new lease of life with this gesture by President Buhari.”