Nations Cup Victory: Jonathan Doles Out N5m To Football Supporters’ Club

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday announced a gift of N5 million to the Football Supporters Club of Nigeria, for cheering the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations victory.
The President announced the gift when the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, presented the AFCON 2013 trophy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja.
At the ceremony, which took place before the FEC meeting in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Jonathan commended members of the supporters’ club for their unrelenting spirits.
It will be recalled that the President had at a special reception Tuesday rewarded the victorious Super Eagles team with national honours, cash donations and a plot of land each in FCT.
“For the Supporters Club, I forgot to specifically mention them yesterday.
“We have to specifically commend them because it is a very challenging task for them; they are the group that, when they are supporting a team whether they score you 100 goals, they will continue to support you.
“It is not an easy assignment, they have really done well, and for that, Government is going to give them N5 million to encourage them.”
The President, once again, thanked the Super Eagles for their superlative performance at the tournament and for bringing glory to the country.
Jonathan applauded the NFF for its effective management of football in the country and the ministers for their support in organising the reception for the Eagles.
Earlier, Bolaji had said the victory was the result of the vision and commitment of the President to developing the sports sector, citing the Presidential Retreat on Sports, which was organized following the country’s dismal performance in its last Olympics outing.
The minister expressed appreciation to the cabinet members for their prayers and support, which he said, helped to achieve the victory.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala, on her part, said the victory would be harnessed to create jobs for youths in the sports sector.
Similarly, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and his internal affairs counterpart, Abba Moro, each commended the exemplary leadership of the President in encouraging cabinet members to succeed. (NAN)