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Jerome Dung urged Plateau State to redeem the N1.5m and land promised to Plateau United’s 2017 NPFL winners.
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Eight years later, the pledge remains unfulfilled.
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He appealed to Governor Caleb Mutfwang to honour it.
Jerome Dung, a former Plateau United midfielder who helped the club win the 2016/2017 NPFL title, has spoken out about an unfulfilled promise of N1.5 million and a plot of land that the team was promised by then-Governor Simon Bako Lalong.
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Jerome Dung says the club’s title win — the first in its history — was followed by a public pledge from Lalong to reward the 45 players who made the feat possible.
The governor also announced cash awards for the technical crew, with the then-technical adviser, Kennedy Boboye, promised N2.5 million and other crew members N2 million each.
However, eight years later, the cash and land have still not been delivered.
Many players have left the club, and consequently some have struggled financially.
As a result, Jerome Dung appealed to the current governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to honour the pledge.
He stressed that the promise was a notable part of Lalong’s administration and should be kept as a matter of record and justice.
“Eight years have passed since we defied all odds to win the league in the 2016/2017 for our beloved Plateau United FC, aka Lalong Boys,” – the ex-player said in the appeal.
“Governor Simon Lalong who was very happy with our performance, promised to give us N1.5 million each and a plot of land to appreciate us. Our coaches were also promised money as well but eight years have passed since the promise and none of us have gotten the money nor the land.”
“We’ve waited for this long, but the money isn’t forthcoming. 23 players out of the 45 players in the team were not Plateau indigenes, but they fought for us and with us in making this history for our dear state and this should be recorded as one of the greatest achievements in the Lalong’s administration and for Plateau State.” – he added.
“Today, almost half of my team mates then are either retired or currently without a football club to continue their job and they have kids and families to take care of. One of our coaches, Audu Pele, died because his family could not raise money for his treatment. Like I have said a couple of times in my posts and videos on social media, I don’t care where the reward will come from; all we want is what we worked for and deserve.” – he concluded.
Jerome Dung, who played for Plateau United from 2014 to 2020 before moving abroad in 2022, now plays professionally in Switzerland.
He posted his appeal on social media on Tuesday and included a list of teammates and coaches still waiting for the promised reward.
The list includes:
Goalkeepers : Dele Ajiboye, John Gadi and Panshak Silas;
Defenders such as Golbe Elisha and Emmanuel Olowo;
Midfielders including Benjamin Turba, Mafeng Pam and Jerome Dung;
Strikers like Kabiru Umar and Emeka Umeh.
The coaching crew named Kennedy Boboye, the late Audu Pele and others.
Former players say they are not asking for favors; rather, they want the pledge kept as a matter of fairness.
Moreover, they argue that the reward recognised a landmark achievement for Plateau State and that, therefore, the state government should act now.
Readers can view the full list of players and coaches accompanying this report and follow updates as the story develops.
For immediate attention, Jerome Dung and his teammates are urging supporters and civil society to help keep the conversation alive until the state fulfills the promise.
