Tag: commends

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Super Eagles on their superlative performance against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday. The Eagles defeated their counterpart by a lone goal scored by Ahmed Musa in the 81st minute. The match was a qualifying match for the 2014 World cup holding in Brazil next year.

The President who spoke at the Presidential Launch of the ‘Rhythm N Play’ programme of the National Sports Commission in Abuja on Thursday, expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would surely qualify for the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil. The President said ” You will all recall that late last year, we convened the Retreat on Sports which not only analysed the challenges in the Sector but also came up with a clear Roadmap for its development in the short, medium and long terms.

Already, 2013 is turning out to be a success for the country in Sports. In February, our gallant Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Two weeks ago, I hosted a joint Reception for the Golden Eaglets who represented the country at the African Under 17 Football Championship in Morocco as well as our Athletics Team which emerged overall winners of the maiden Under 18 African Athletics Championship in Warri.

They were honoured for their extra-ordinary feat and display of talent in their chosen sports at the international arena. So far, we are doing well in our effort to fly the Green-White-Green in the Football World Cup tournament in Brazil next year. This is a great moment for sports in Nigeria. We must build on this momentum and trend. We must take every step to ensure that our successes are sustained. We believe that grassroots sports development and nurturing provide the way”.

“Sport is an important vehicle for fostering cohesion and nation building. This has been amply demonstrated in the greater attention Government has given to sports development. In National competitions, it mirrors our pride, emotion, unity and discipline. Aside from these obvious benefits that sporting glory brings, it is also a major tool for youth development. Through sports, people imbibe self-discipline, perseverance, team spirit and patriotism. Encouraging young people to take on sports, also helps to build a generation that is healthier in body and mind and, therefore, able to contribute more fully to national development.

Government remains firmly committed to the development of our youth to ensure they grow up as healthy, responsible and productive citizens with available opportunities to make easier life choices. This is the spirit of our Government of Transformation. We must collectively build a worthy nation for the younger generation. Considering its long-term socio-economic benefits, this administration is irrevocably committed to grassroots sports development. We believe that our young people must be encouraged to have an early start in sporting activities.

The President said the ‘Rhythm N’ Play,’ the programme is aimed at providing young Nigerians under the age of 17 years, with structured programmes that combine sports and play as critical learning and development tools. ” As the biggest campaign for youth participation in sports ever launched in our country, this initiative will revolutionize grassroots sports in our dear nation. Our target is to introduce 2 million additional children to sports over the next two years. In this regard, I have directed the National Sports Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education, to work in concert towards achieving this target. Through this targeted effort, our administration intends to bring physical education back to our schools, and make participation in sports activities compulsory for all pupils and students”.

“We are not unaware of the fundamental constraints facing this initiative, such as inadequate sporting facilities and qualified coaches in the majority of our educational institutions. Nevertheless, we are determined to reverse this situation. We will overcome existing constraints by articulating cost efficient solutions to empower children and facilitate greater interest and participation in sports”.

The President, then called on all State Governments and all other stakeholders, including the private sector, to give full support to the realization of its objective. “Partnering with you in developing sports facilities in rural and urban areas, we are certain to significantly spur the growth and development of grassroots sports”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari has praised the governors of Delta and Lagos States, as well as corporate partners Globacom, Guinness and Cadbury Nigeria Plc for their tremendous show of love to the Super Eagles after the team’s triumph at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Globacom chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr has offered cars and a house to Head Coach Stephen Keshi, while Guinness Nigeria Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc hosted the team in Lagos at the weekend, ‘spoiling’ them with gifts.

Also, Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos have provided cash and material rewards, with governor Uduaghan offering to build a house for Coach Keshi, CON in Delta State.

“We really appreciate these very kind gestures from the sports-loving governors of Delta and Lagos States, and Globacom, Guinness and Cadbury. They have done so well for the players and coaches and we commend them greatly.

“These governors and the corporate bodies have stuck with the NFF and the Super Eagles through thick and thin, and their gestures now have shown them to be friends-for-ever,” said Maigari.

Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, Nigeria Coaches Association (NCA), FCT chapter, on Friday commended the patriotism demonstrated so far by Victor Moses, at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Bamigboye made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

The chairman spoke ahead of yesterday’s final match between the Super Eagles and the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the Soccer City Stadium, South Africa.

The coach praised the attitude displayed by Moses in the tournament and called on every Nigerian to emulate his high sense of patriotism.

“The attitude and spirit displayed by Moses is highly commendable.

This is a boy who was orphaned due to the unfortunate murder of his parents during the riots in Kaduna in 2002.

“He was taken to London by his uncle almost immediately after the incident and had a choice not to step into the shores of Nigeria again, but he didn’t take that option,’’ he said.

According to him, when the call to serve his fatherland came, Moses dumped England and embraced Nigeria, this is patriotism.

“Today, we see a Moses bringing joy to every Nigerian in spite of his bitter past, he never gave up on his country. He said that if someone like Moses in spite of his bitter past never gave up on his country, “then why should we’’.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari on Friday heaped plaudits on the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, for his tremendous support to the Super Eagles in their 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals campaign.

After a somewhat lethargic and anxious start to the tournament, the Super Eagles improved steadily and are now on the verge of a third Cup of Nations triumph as they clash with Burkina Faso’s Etalons in Sunday’s Final at the National Stadium in Soweto.

Maigari said: “We are very appreciative of the huge support of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (CON) and indeed, other sports-loving State Chief Executives in Nigeria who have given support one way or the other.

“Governor Amaechi has particularly shown keen interest in the campaign of the team at this tournament. We commend him.”

Amaechi, who is also Chairman of the Governors’ Forum of Nigeria, was at the Super Eagles’ Ingwenyama Conference and Sport Resort in Nelspruit to gear the team up ahead of their important Group C clash with Zambia on January 25. He gave the team $100,000.

Maigari also showered praises on the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, CON, for his tremendous assistance to the team and the NFF during the qualifying campaign.

“Governor Imoke is a wonderful person. He hosted the team’s home matches in the qualifying series and the players and coaches have not stopped talking about the hospitality they experienced in Calabar.”

Maigari said on Friday afternoon that the team and NFF leadership are awaiting the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, in Johannesburg for Sunday’s Final.

Already, Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi and a number of directors in the Commission, including the Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba are on ground in Johannesburg.

Officials insist that the players woke up at their Garden Court Hotel in Johannesburg on Friday confident that skipper Joseph Yobo will lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Sunday.

Burkina Faso are looking up to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to overturn the suspension of striker Jonathan Pitroipa, so he can play on Sunday.

There is a precedent. In 1986, the Egyptian FA appealed the suspension of talisman Taher Abou Zeid and the striker was cleared by CAF to play the final match, which host Egypt won on penalties against Cameroon in Cairo.

Pitroipa was expelled in Wednesday’s semi final against Ghana in Nelspruit.

Nwankwo Kanu, former captain of the Super Eagles has said credit must be given to Coach Stephen Keshi for re-introducing the Nigerian football culture into the national team.

Kanu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the aftermath of the Super Eagles defeat of Mali, 4-1 at the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations that “Keshi is getting it right with the team.

“Nigeria is once again playing the type of football that put the Eagle among the football powerhouses in the African continent.

“The Nigerian culture and football is back and credit must be given to Stephen Keshi.

“May be it is because he is a local coach and understands our football culture as the players have responded well to the way he wants the game to be played,’’ Kanu said.

Kanu said that he hoped the current team would also emulate the class of 1994.

“We had an excellent team then that was built on unity and the undying love for our country.

”What I have seen so far, the boys are following in our footsteps.

“Playing for Nigeria is another thing, the players and the coaches are aware that a good display will see us winning the trophy,’’ Kanu said.