Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Senate asks Libya to apologise to Nigeria over Super Eagles ordeal

POSTED ON October 15, 2024 •   Breaking News      BY Benedicta Bassey
Nigeria Senate in plenary

The Senate, on Tuesday, asked Libya to apologise to the Nigerian Government over the inhuman treatment meted out to the Super Eagles when they arrived in the country for the second leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.

This was after the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, condemned the act, while also demanding a probe and penalisation of Libya over the matter.

The resolution of the Red Chamber was sequel to a Point of Order raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Sumaila Kawu, (NNPP Kano South), who came under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules on personal explanation.

Senator Kawu noted with regret that the actions of the Libyan authorities and Football Federation did not only endanger the lives of the senior team players, but other members of the delegation.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to call the attention of the Libyan Government to the negative diplomatic consequences of such action.

In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North), who presided over the plenary, condemned what happened in Libya to the Super Eagles, saying the ill-treatment meted out to the players was terrible and condemnable.

Senator Barau added that the action was not in tandem with the spirit of sports, stressing that the essence of sports is to promote unity and competition as well as enhance brotherhood among the countries on the continent.

According to him, the matter raised by Senator Kawu was very important, saying “This is what we intended it to do because we don’t want a diplomatic row; we think this is a mistake that the Libyan should be given a chance to correct and apologise to the Nigerian government.”

“Nigeria is a big country in Africa. We always lead in terms of diplomacy, friendship and everything. Based on that spirit, I am sure you decided that this matter should be treated this way so we can give their leaders a chance to apologise to our national team.

“So, we call on the ambassador and whoever is concerned and the authorities to come out and apologise for what they have done to our national team,” the Deputy Senate President stressed.

Similarly, the President of the Senate, Akpabio, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh decried the antics and shameful behaviour of the Libyan officials and authorities saying, “This unfortunate incident is a stark reminder of the disregard for human dignity and the lack of respect for international norms.”

He declared that the reported mistreatment of the players is not only unacceptable but also a breach of the principles of fair play and sportsmanship that underpins international football competitions.

“As the President of the Senate, I stand in solidarity with the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the entire Nigerian football community in condemning this unjust treatment.

“The Nigerian Senate will continue to monitor this situation closely and ensure that the rights and dignity of our citizens are protected. We will not tolerate any form of mistreatment or disrespect towards our nationals, regardless of the circumstances.

“We demand a thorough investigation from the Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and appropriate sanctions to be meted out against those involved.

“It is also imperative that the Libyan authorities take immediate action to investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable to prevent future occurrences.

“We call on the international football community to condemn this unacceptable behaviour and support our demand for justice,” he stated.

READ ALSO
IPMAN Links Rising Petrol Prices to Crude Oil Costs and Market Dynamics
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Associati...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...

READ ALSO
Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

Oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar gained strength following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's n...

READ ALSO
FG Coordinates Evacuation Plans for Citizens in Iran-  Minister
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has refuted false narrati...

READ ALSO
Governors, FG Unite to Tackle Food Security Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

The 36 state governors have come together to collaborate with the Federal Government on harmonizing...

READ ALSO
Tinubu to Launch Multiple Development Projects Today in Kaduna
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

KADUNA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu is anticipated to arrive in Kaduna State today for the inaug...

READ ALSO
ECOWAS Calls for Unified Action Against Plastic Pollution at World Environment Day
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is calling for a unified regional effort from...

READ ALSO
Trump Proposes Visa Ban on Nigeria Amid Corruption Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 15, 2025 0

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated plans to impose a general visa ban o...

OUR CHANNELS:

Nigeria's Gemstone Potential: A Deep Dive into 10 Rare Minerals and Their Regions of Origin
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

Nigeria is making waves with a revolutionary $400 million Foreign Direct Investment dedicated to cre...


IPMAN Links Rising Petrol Prices to Crude Oil Costs and Market Dynamics
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Associati...


EFCC Charges Businessman, Company with $75,000 Fraud
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

A businessman, Peter Otomewu, along with his company, Pebeto Enerji Limited, was brought before the...


Osimhen Willing to Join Manchester United for Under £200,000 a Week
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen is reportedly willing to accept a weekly wage of just under £200,000 at Manches...


Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire Deal, Tehran Denies Formal Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “comple...


French Police Arrest 12 over Alleged Drugging of Women at Music Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

French police have arrested 12 individuals suspected of drugging female festivalgoers during the ann...


NATO Warns Iran Against Nuclear Weapon Development Amid Rising Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a renewed effort to curb escalating violence in the Middle East, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...


Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...


Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu