President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday congratulated the Golden Eaglets for winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fifth time and said the nation was extremely proud of their victory.
Saraki who was jubilant after watching the lads emerge winners’ and crowned champions of the world, reiterated his hope in the future of the nation’s football.
He commended the Coach Emmanuel Amunike led team for their doggedness, ingenious tactics and dexterity in the field of play throughout the competition.
He however urged both the nation’s senior male and female teams to borrow a leaf from the fighting-spirit of the younger players.
“These boys have made us proud again. They are very enterprising, determined all through the tournament and they truly deserve the trophy.
“With this feat, I congratulate our Golden boys and charge them to continue to aim higher and sustain their winning streak to attain greater heights in future championships,” he stated.
He also commended the technical crew, led by Amunike for the excellent performance.
Deputy Speaker of the House Of Representatives RT Hon Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, in a statement by his Media Aide, Wole Oladimeji, also congratulated the Eaglets over their victory against Mali, saying it is a sign that the nation still has the potential to grow and compete with other developed countries in sports.
“The victory is a demonstration that the country is not doing badly and that with honesty of purpose and hard work the nation can move forward,” he said.
The opposition The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saluted the Golden Eaglets, describing the victory they recorded in Chile as a bold statement by the Nigerian youth against series of uninspiring and negative utterances and actions of President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government that has been de-marketing the nation in the international arena.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Monday said the victory is a clear demonstration that Nigeria, as a country is endowed with enormous talents and potentials waiting to be exhibited to the entire world.
“The time has come for us to dwell less on our negatives but to showcase the positives, the talents and indeed the natural resources waiting to be harnessed and exhibited for foreign investments and participation in our economy.
“Finally, the PDP states that this victory should be a wakeup call on President Muhammadu Buhari to recognize the hardworking spirit of Nigerians, our overflowing talents and well-developed natural endowments.
On its part, the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the superlative performance of the Golden Eaglets that saw them winning the just-concluded 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile epitomizes the can-do spirit of Nigerians.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party also said the harvest of honours by the team is a reflection of the nation’s ongoing rebirth under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who incidentally was also the leader of the country when it won the inaugural Under-17 World Cup, known then as FIFA Under-16 World Championship, in China in 1985.
”As President Buhari has always said, Nigeria has what it takes to surmount any obstacle and to excel in all areas of human endeavour.
”We hail the determination, doggedness, discipline and patriotism of the Golden Eaglets and their officials, and we have no doubt that the team’s success will reverberate not only in the sports sector but in all other areas, as the APC-led Federal Government kick-starts a national rejuvenation process,” APC said.
