President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday led a host of personalities to express their joy and congratulate the Super Eagles on their victory over the Chipolopolo of Zambia.
This was contained in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.
The President, who described the hard-earned victory as “very sweet, soothing and a 57th Independence Anniversary gift to the nation,” applauded the nation’s senior men’s football team for the feat of making Nigeria the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, with a match left to play.
Buhari called on all Nigerians to apply the values of perseverance, resilience, discipline, hard work and team-spirit which propelled the footballers to excel since the beginning of the qualifying matches, to all sectors of national life.
He promised that the Federal Government will continue to support the team within available resources so that the nation will maximise the unifying potentials of sports in general and football in particular.
He enjoined the entire team and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials to remain steadfast and focused when they begin preparations for the global football fiesta in order to make Nigeria proud.
Buhari urged the public, private organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to assist the Super Eagles as the team heads for a sixth appearance at the summit of football competition.
He also appreciated the government of Akwa Ibom State for the invaluable support it has been rendering to the football team, describing it as worthy of emulation.
In the same vein, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki congratulated the Eagles for the victory against a determined Zambian side.
Saraki who watched on, as Alex Iwobi scored the all-important goal in the 73rd minute wrote on his official Twitter page after the game: “It was great to be in Uyo to cheer on our @NGSuperEagles! You guys continue to make us all proud and demonstrate the greatness in our diversity.
“Congratulations to all Nigerians. We can truly achieve great things when we come together!
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, yesterday in Ilorin, said the Super Eagles’ qualification has once more demonstrated the nation’s strength in football, which made Nigeria the first African country to qualify for the FIFA mundial in Russia.
Governor Ahmed appreciated the players for their doggedness and called for immediate commencement of preparations “so that Nigeria won’t just make up the number at the biggest football fiesta but further make Africa proud”.
For the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, he wrote: “Congratulations @NGSuperEagles. You’ve made us all very proud. Here’s wishing you success at #Russia2018.”
In the same vein, former president, Goodluck E. Jonathan said, he was not surprised by the qualification of the team as the lads exemplify the can do Nigerian spirit.
In his tweets on Saturday, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar@atiku said, Thank you for all the support for the Super Eagles. Russia, we are coming #ReadyForRussia #AtikuChallenge.
Also former minister, Femi Fani-Kayode in his message on twitter wrote: “Congrats Super Eagles! Russia gets the vodka out and prepare for war! We will dribble u, show u the power of Naija and make u dance makossa!
