President Goodluck Jonathan watched the Nigeria versus Mali semi final match aboard Presidential aircraft ‘Nigeria Air Force 1.’
The President and First Lady Patience were travelling to London from Cairo, Egypt when the match was being played.
Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati in a tweet last night said the first family and members of the delegation celebrated the Eagles win aboard the plane.
He said Dr. Jonathan went round the aircraft to congratulate everyone on board, saying, “We are on course, up Nigeria.”
Abati quoted the President as saying “the Super Eagles must go ahead and bring the trophy home. This is what all Nigerians want.”
In a statement after the match, the President was quoted as saying:
“Again, coach (Stephen) Keshi and our skillful and patriotic players have shown the world the indomitable Nigerian spirit.
“It is this spirit that Nigeria’s leading lights came together to celebrate on Monday the 4th of February 2013 as we began our centenary celebrations.
“The Super Eagles have done us proud, the Cup is within reach and Nigeria is indeed grateful and expectant of a special centenary gift from our players.”
Senate President David Mark also showered encomium on the victorious national team.
Mark said the victory of the Eagles against the Malian team has restored the pride and dignity of Nigerians in global affairs.
Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh quoted Mark as saying: “This victory is well deserved. You have brought pride to the nation. We shall do our own part to honour you.
“The nation is proud of you. Please do more to bring the trophy back home. We are anxiously waiting like an expectant mother.
“Let me reiterate that the National Assembly will do the needful to reward you”.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the qualification of the Super Eagles for the final of the 2013 AFCON tournament is a delight to every Nigerian.
Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on media, Uche Anichukwu, quoted Ekweremadu as describing the victory as “an elixir for national renewal and unity.”
He urged the team to go all out to “bring the trophy home as a centenary gift to fatherland.
“Overall, a government that lies to its citizens by either saying it had been hailed for its anti-corruption effort by Transparency International when that is not the truth of the matter, or given an exaggerated amount of electricity that has been generated cannot get much respect from the governed”, Lai stressed.
