World Cup: Jonathan donates N50m to Supporters Club

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday donated N50 million to the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to assist it in preparing for the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil.
The President, who was conferred and decorated as the Grand Patron of the club at a colourful ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said he would also be in Brazil as the number one supporter of the Super Eagles.
According to him: “I count it a great honour for this conferment and decoration as the grand patron of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club worldwide.
“I consider myself now formally recognised as number one supporter of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club.
“But, this decoration is dedicated to all members of my cabinet and indeed all Nigerians of goodwill because without the support of the ministers in charge of sports and other ministers that play key role and indeed all Nigerians that continue to support you and our teams, the achievements would not be possible.
“So we all share in this joy today.
“I have always been keen supporter of our national teams in all sports.
“This ceremony however officially confers on me the formal responsibility of leading our supporters in cheering our national football teams whenever we are engaged in competitions.
“I hope to be with you in Brazil.
“The Federal Government and indeed all Nigerians appreciate and we need to encourage you to go to Brazil.
“The Federal Government is going to give you a token but I will personally consult with the senior boys to add something to that.
“The Federal Government is going to start it with the sum of N50 million.
“But I am hopeful that by the time I will talk to some of our senior boys, I think the money may even double.”
Speaking earlier, the President-General, Worldwide of the Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, said they found the President worthy of the award in view of his administration’s support for football development that has translated into recent achievements recorded by the nation’s football ruling body, the Nigeria Football federation.
Ladipo said: “Why we decided to honour you is because the numerous achievements of our national team would not have been possible but for your support.
“Your luck gave us the U-17 world cup, first time we took part in CHAN, and took the golden bronze.
“But for your fatherly support, we would have not have qualified for the World Cup.
“You have supported us in the past to support our teams.
“We want to go with 1,000 Nigerians to Brazil.
“Five hundred from Nigeria and some 500 from other Nigerians in other parts of the world.
“We have offices in all the places.
“We will get to at least the semi-final at the World Cup.”
The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, joined Vice President Namadi Sambo; the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi; the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; and Oladipo in decorating President Jonathan with the ceremonial dress, medallions, muffler, Staff of Office and trophy.