President Tinubu says Super Eagles greatest strength lies in our diversity
President Bola Tinubu has uplifted the spirit of the Nigerian national football team, Super Eagles, saying that their team spirit and discipline demonstrated at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire proved that diversity is a great source of strength.
The president praised the team’s unity at a reception in honour of the Super Eagles players at the State House in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Mr Tinubu, also, said, however, that the national team couldn’t win the finals as was highly anticipated, Nigerians were excited to have seen them come that far and this was “a remarkable journey throughout the competition”.
He said the performance of super Eagles on the field inspired pride in the hearts of Nigerians and was an exemplary show of their “unity, determination, and resilience”.
Speaking, in his own words, president Tinubu said, ”It is a great honour for me to receive you, our Super Eagles. As a team, you taught us lessons on resilience, togetherness, diversity, and excitement in competitive games.
”You started the tournament as if Nigeria would not assert itself, but you progressed to the finals. Through all the challenges and dealing with great humidity in the host country, you left your clubs and honoured your country. You gave us great excitement.
”You were determined. We salute your resilience. You lifted our spirits, and you made us proud. You made us smile as Nigerians.
”It is not easy to absorb a loss, particularly when the expectations are high. But you have demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience, and teamship throughout the entire tournament. That is what AFCON stands for, the unity and resilience of the continent. You have done a great job, and I am very proud of you,” the President stated.
The President promised to invest more funds into the development of (sports) sporting activities in Nigeria.
He said he was proud of them, and would consult with the Super Eagles team to “facilitate and promote sports” and seek to “attract private sector investment into the Nigerian Professional Football League.
”We will consult with you on how to facilitate and promote sports development. As your President, I will go out to attract greater private sector investment in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
“We have to grow our local league, and I promise to be a super promoter of sports in our country. Many of you may in the future become managers of our local premiership system. I want to say once again that I am proud of you, and Nigeria is proud of you. You are a lifter of spirits.”
Then, after speaking, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh thanked President Tinubu for his indicated interest in the Nigerian national sports development.
He said that his plan to create a separate Ministry of Sports Development was a commendable decision.
John Enoh said, ”For the first time, we have gone through a major competition; we have come back without any crisis, without any complaint, without any issues whatsoever relating to allowances, bonuses, or whatever. This kept the team focused on the matches in front of them with quality results.”
Again, among others who spoke at the occasion was the Super Eagles’s vice-Captain, William Troost-Ekong, who told the president that he would work hard this time to achieve a greater result by winning the next competition and bringing home the gold medal.
”We are very grateful for your support during our time in Ivory Coast. We did our best until the final. I wish that we were here carrying the trophy for you.
”In 2019, I was here with a bronze medal. Now we are here with a silver medal. I have two gold-medal winners beside me here and all we can promise is that we will continue to work hard, and the next time we meet, hopefully next year, we will be bringing home a gold medal,” said Mr William.
President Tinubu says Super Eagles greatest strength lies in our diversity
