Former Flying Eagles defender Major Patrick Robert (retd.) is thrilled after being named the U.S Army Transportation Officer of The Year 2018, The Punch report.
The award, which was presented to Robert on May 7 at the U.S Army HQ in Fort Lee, VA, was in recognition of the ex-footballer’s “contributions in logistics coordination, in support of U.S Army units.”
“First, I would like to give glory to God for His infinite mercy and protection throughout my carrier as a U.S Army officer. After I retired from active military a couple of years ago, I was recruited by the U.S Army to continue serving as a civilian senior Logistician,” Robert told The PUNCH.
The former defender captained Ibadan Grammar School to win the Oyo State Principal Cup in 1985, before leading the Oyo State Academicals at the National Sports Festival in Ilorin, same year
Robert was a member of the Flying Eagles that won silver at the ECOWAS competition in 1988 and played for 3SC between 1987 and 1990.
He also got call-ups to the Super Eagles between 1989 and 1990, before he migrated to the US on a football scholarship at Alabama A & M University, where he was named the institution’s Most Valuable Player in 1993 and 1994.
Robert expressed his desire to return to Nigeria to contribute his quota to the country’s transportation and logistics sector.
“My short-term goal is to finally retire from working for the U.S Department of Defence (Army) to fully manage my logistics company in Nigeria, and contribute to the Nigerian economy,” Robert, who holds a first degree in Finance and Master of Science, Economics from Alabama A&M University, added.
“Bottom line is contributing my own quota in the development of our nation through job creation and making positive impact in the lives of others. That is my purpose in life.”
Robert had previously been awarded the U.S Army Bronze Star Medal, U.S Army Meritorious Service Medal, U.S Army Commendation Medal and the U.S Army Achievement Medal.
