Former Super Eagles Coach Westerhof Appeals for Relocation of Promised House Due to Safety Fears

Former Super Eagles coach Clemens Westerhof has appealed to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relocate a house allocated to him by the Federal Government, citing security concerns.

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Although I was born in the Netherlands, Nigeria became my second home. The love, kindness, and support I received from the Nigerian people remain among the greatest blessings of my life. I will always be grateful for the privilege of serving such a proud football nation.

Westerhof, who led Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994 and qualification for their first FIFA World Cup, recalled the house allocation in 2019 as a symbol of friendship. However, he stated that the property is located in a remote area of Gwagwalada, near Kuje, within the Federal Capital Territory, making it unsafe due to prevailing security risks, including kidnapping.

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To us, it represented far more than a building; it was a lasting symbol of the friendship between Nigeria and a coach who gave his heart to the country.

In an open letter to the president, the Dutch coach explained that he and his wife have been unable to enjoy the gift due to its unsafe location. He emphasized that they are not seeking luxury but simply the ability to safely enjoy the honor already bestowed upon them. Westerhof mentioned previous respectful approaches to housing ministers.

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Sadly however, Westerhof and his family have not been able to enjoy this generous gift because the house is located in a remote area of Gwagwalada, near Kuje, within the Federal Capital Territory, and with the prevailing security concerns, including the risk of kidnapping, the Dutchman was strongly advised that it is unsafe to live there or even visit whenever he travelled to Nigeria.

He expressed his deep gratitude for the love and support received from Nigerians over the years, considering the country his second home. Westerhof hopes the government will consider relocating the house to a safer part of Abuja, allowing him and his family to receive the gift in the spirit it was intended.

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We are not asking for luxury or special treatment. We are simply asking that the honour already given to us can be enjoyed safely.