President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday approved the release of N50m to the Nigerian Football Supporters Club in order to motivate them to participate at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He announced the approval on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa during his decoration as Grand Patron of the Supporters’ Club, which held just before the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Jonathan praised members of the Supporters’ Club for their support to the national teams, saying the money will motivate the supporters to further support the team in Brazil.
“We need to encourage you to go to Brazil. We will give you a token. We will start with N50 million and we will talk to some of our senior boys to support you”, he said.
He dedicated his decoration as Grand Patron to all members of his cabinet and all Nigerians of goodwill, and also pledged that being a keen supporter of all sports, he would be with the team and the supporters in Brazil.
President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club Worldwide, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo revealed plans of the club to travel to Brazil with 1,000 members, and also joined the campaign for team coach, Stephen Keshi to have free hands over the composition of the technical staff.
“Our plan is to go with 1,000 supporters to the World Cup. Five hundred will go from Nigeria while the remaining 500 will come from other countries”, he said, adding that the Eagles would qualify for the semi-finals at least, with the support of everyone.
“Steven Keshi has done very well, but he still needs two or three people to help him read the game because he cannot see everything by himself”, he said. “But nobody should force down anybody on him. He should be allowed to make his decision”.
