The world of Nigerian football has come to a standstill in celebration of Remo Stars, whose long-awaited elevation to champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League has triggered an outpouring of tributes from the highest quarters, The PUNCH reports.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen led the charge with a gesture befitting the moment, gifting the team a total of N10m, N5m to the players and N5m to the technical crew after placing a personal video call to the team which head coach Daniel Ogunmodede confirmed to The PUNCH
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined in lauding the feat, describing it as a testament to the hard work, discipline, and unyielding spirit of the players, the coaching crew and the management.
“The historic victory, four years after the team’s promotion to the elite league, is a testament to the hard work, discipline, and unyielding spirit of the players, the coaching crew and the management,” the President stated.
Tinubu further commended the vision of club chairman Kunle Soname, highlighting the impact of his investment in grassroots football and urging Remo Stars to carry the nation’s hopes into the CAF Champions League with the same undaunting spirit and focus.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun also paid tribute, calling the triumph an unprecedented feat in the history of the state.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, the governor said, “It is my utmost delight that the age-long perseverance and consistency of Remo Stars Football team have eventually paid off at the national level and to the admiration of every Nigerian.” He applauded the club and celebrated its emergence as the first privately owned NPFL champion since Ocean Boys in 2006.
The Confederation of African Football hailed the victory as a moment of “immense pride” not only for Remo Stars but also for the entire southwest region, which had not produced a league champion since Julius Berger’s 2000 success. CAF affirmed that attention would now turn to Remo Stars’ forthcoming participation in the Champions League.
Rival clubs were equally generous in their tributes. Rangers International extended a heartfelt message to the Remo Stars president. “Winning the league title, after fifteen years of building and striving, is a truly extraordinary achievement,” read the statement.
Ikorodu City FC chairman Sanmi Doherty, whose own club is part of Nigeria’s growing band of privately funded outfits, congratulated Soname on his birthday and the title triumph.
“All the hard work of the club for many years has finally yielded in the club being Nigerian league champions,” he said.
Heartland FC, through its technical manager Emmanuel Amuneke, saluted Remo Stars for their consistency, stating, “What Remo Stars have done is unprecedented and what would continue to be spoken about in the years to come.”
As the champions continue to bask in their glory, they still have three matches to complete their season, a visit to Maiduguri to face El-Kanemi Warriors in matchday 36, a home fixture against Ikorodu City in Ikenne where they will be officially crowned champions in matchday 37, and a curtain call away to Bayelsa United in Yenagoa.
