SAN FRANCISCO, November 09, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their 3-0 triumph over Mexico in the final match of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Soccer Championship played Friday evening in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“President Jonathan joins other very proud and happy Nigerians in saluting the glorious achievement of the Eaglets in winning the Under-17 Soccer Championship for an unprecedented fourth time.
“The President commends the young Eaglets for the exemplary commitment, dedication, resilience, determination, patriotism and unity of purpose they displayed through-out the tournament to make Nigeria the World’s Under-17 Football Champion once again.
“In fulfillment of his promise of a heroes’ welcome for the triumphant Golden Eaglets on their return home, President Jonathan will host a grand reception for the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House at 1900 Hours on Sunday, November 10, 2013 in appreciation of the great honour and glory they have brought to their fatherland.
“The President also urges the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation to strive to ensure that the world-conquering Eaglets, who have shown such immense potentials as youngsters, are properly nurtured, trained and developed to represent the nation at higher levels in future international football competitions.
“He wishes the Golden Eaglets and their handlers a safe journey home and looks forward to receiving them in Abuja on Sunday, ” a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati , said.
First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who watched the 90-minutes encounter also rejoiced with the Golden Eaglets, their coaches and handlers as well as all Nigerians for what she described as a sweet victory by the Nigerian squad.
The First Lady, in a statement by a Media Assistant, attached to her office, Ayo Adewuyi, particularly commended the team’s versatility, accurate passes, determination and the team spirit which she said was responsible for the success of the team. Dame Jonathan congratulated the world champion and praised the team for making Nigeria proud. urging them to remain focused and work harder for future glory.
Governor Edo State , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, also congratulated the Eaglets for doing Nigerians proud in far-away United Arab Emirates. In a statement issued in Benin City, the governor said : “The Eaglets displayed the can-do spirit of the Nigerian; the will to excel even in the face of excruciating challenges.
“The Boys represent a new generation of Nigerians whose faith in the country remain unwavering as they forged a formidable team to win the coveted trophy despite coming from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“I urge the authorities of the Nigerian Football Federation to keep this talented team together as the boys have the potential of even bringing greater honour to the country. ”
On is part, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their 3-0 win over Mexico to lift the 2013 edition of the Under 17 World Cup, in the United Arab for making the country proud.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun said he has always had absolute confidence that the Eaglets would bring home the Cup.
“The Golden Eaglets have done it again. They have lifted the World Cup for the fourth time. I congratulate the Golden Eaglets and all Nigerians on this great feat” the governor said.
The governor who expressed happiness at the victory, urged the Eagles not to rest on their oars, but see the victory as a stepping stone to greater heights.
Former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, also joined other leaders in commending the Golden Eaglets
“Once again, we are at it, we have set a new history and shown the world on behalf of Africans that we’re fit to stay on the world scene.
“I joyfully congratulate our young, strong, agile and promising under 17 for this great achievement.
“Beyond the pitch, the milestone set today gives us strong hope in the ‘to be’ of Africans, that if our potentials are fully explored, we have what it takes to stand on the world stage and take the lead.
“Once again, I congratulate the team, and importantly our nation’s sport council led by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi- his leadership has really brought us good tidings, ” he said in a statement issued in Ilorin.
Delta State Governor, Dr, Emmanuel Uduaghan, in a statement by his press secretary, Felix Ofou, said the victory was a reflection of the resilience in the Nigerian spirit. “Despite our challenges, diversity and divisions, the Golden Eaglets have shown that we are a united people and that our greatness will become manifest as we join hands in spite of all odds to build a great Nation”, he said.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also described Nigeria’s victory in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup as “yet another testimony to its earlier declaration that the nation has entered into the era of possibilities under President Goodluck Jonathan.”
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement recalled the victory of the Super Eagles in the African Cup of Nation in February adding that “today’s victory in the Under 17 World Cup is a clear indication that the nation will surmount its challenges under the current dispensation.
“The fact that the nation lifted these coveted trophies is a clear indication that we have entered the era of possibilities. It is indeed a sign that the doors of good luck have been opened for the nation to excel in all other sectors. It shows that there is nothing impossible and that collectively we will overcome all the challenges we are facing as a nation,” the party said.
The PDP which said it was proud of the Nigerian Under 17 team commended the players for “keeping their eyes on the trophy right from the beginning of the tournament.”
Jonathan: Military Rule No Longer Fashionable
SAN FRANCISCO, November 09, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, that the global community was no longer inclined to tolerate a role in governance by the military in Africa and other parts of the world.
A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan said this while speaking at a special session of the National Peoples’s Assembly during his visit to Guinea-Bissau, calling on the country’s Armed Forces to embrace total respect for democracy and constitutionalism in the interest of their nation.
“It is no longer fashionable today to see the military parading themselves as the custodians of political power. Rather, it is fashionable for the military to embrace the protection, preservation and total respect for constitutional order and democracy in order to build a prosperous and an egalitarian society,” President Jonathan said at the session which was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society organisations.
President Jonathan, who said that he was in Bissau to show solidarity to the Government and people of Guinea Bissau as part of efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability on the African continent, seized the opportunity to re-state Nigeria’s condemnation of recent attacks on the Nigerian Embassy and Nigerian nationals in Guinea Bissau.
Saying that “mischief makers” in the country should be discouraged from inciting the public against brotherly Nigerians and Africans, President Jonathan called on the authorities of Guinea-Bissau to bring the perpetrators of the criminal attacks to justice.
“We should be our brothers’ keepers and work hand-in-hand in this era of globalisation so as to reap the fruits that come with it. I want to reassure you that the incident that led to the death of a Nigerian will not deter us from our desire to ensure that peace and stability is restored in Guinea-Bissau,” he told the Parliament.
The President said that the objective of his visit was to “identify with your aspiration to transform your country to the status of a stable and democratic society that will guarantee peace and stable democratic governance, which is a fundamental pre-requisite for meaningful economic development.”
He therefore called on the country’s political leaders and members of its Armed Forces to “remain steadfast and maintain the commitment which you have demonstrated right from the onset until the transition process is successfully completed with the holding of general elections which will take place soon.”
President Jonathan further urged all stakeholders in the country to sheathe their swords and work together in harmony to salvage the nation. He assured the gathering that Nigeria and ECOWAS will continue to make financial and material contributions to ensure that the general elections are held as quickly as possible.
The Speaker of the National Peoples’ Assembly, Ibraima Sori Djalo, thanked President Jonathan and the Nigerian Government for “Nigeria’s presence in our country every time we need support, particularly in this last crisis to which we are determined to find a solution.”
He described the October attack on Nigerians in Guinea Bissau as very “depressing” and reiterated the earlier official apology conveyed to Nigeria on the incident.
Both countries later signed a Cooperation Agreement to boost bilateral relations between them. The agreement was signed by the Nigerian Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and his Guinea Bissau counterpart, Fernando Delfim da Silva, in the presence of President Jonathan and his host, the Interim President of Guinea Bissau, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo and top government officials of both countries.
During bilateral talks between the delegations of the two countries, which preceded the signing of the cooperation agreement, President Nhamadjo informed President Jonathan of the commitment of his government to conduct general elections and implement the reformation of Guinea-Bissau’s Security and Defense Forces with the assistance of ECOWAS.
He also thanked President Jonathan for his tireless and positive efforts as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Contact Group on Guinea Bissau and Nigeria’s material and human support especially through its troops in ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB).
President Jonathan had on arrival in Bissau, laid wreaths at the tombs of Guinea-Bissau’s great nationalist hero, Amilcar Cabral and other fighters for the nation’s independence.
The President also had a meeting with members of the country’s Armed Forces led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Antoni Indjai.
Before departing Guinea Bissau for The Gambia, President Jonathan met with members of the Nigerian community and also visited the Nigerian contingent of ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) at Bras, Bissau.
