Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, Barau Jibrin, has rewarded players of Barau FC with brand new motorcycles and a total cash gift of ₦17.5 million to celebrate the club’s promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the first time in their history.
At a reception held in Kano on Tuesday, the senator representing Kano North, who also founded the club, presented each of the 35 players with a motorcycle and ₦500,000 for their achievement.
The event also featured the unveiling of Ladan Bosso as the team’s new head coach.
Barau FC sealed their NPFL ticket last month after defeating Doma United 2–0 in their final playoff match.
The feat marked a rapid rise for the club, which progressed from an academy to the Nationwide League One (NLO), then to the Nigeria National League (NNL), and now to the country’s top flight.
“There is no doubt the club has witnessed a remarkable achievement within a short period,” Jibrin said in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir. “From academy to NLO, from NLO to NNL, and from there to this great milestone of the Premier League. Your success is a victory for the Nigerian youth. We can’t thank you enough.
“Football today is not just a game but a means of earning a living. We want to take you to the international stage. Some of you may like to play for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and other big clubs. We have created this platform for you to excel,” he added.
The lawmaker also revealed that the club had signed 25 new players — including some from outside Nigeria — to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Barau FC will face El-Kanemi Warriors in a pre-season friendly today before hosting nine-time champions Enyimba in their opening NPFL fixture at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.