Africa during the Nations Cup final has shown that Nigeria has only few friend
on the African Continent.
Mark led the
Federal Government’s delegation to South Africa to spur Super Eagles to victory
in their encounter with Burkina Faso in the final match of the soccer
competition.
Speaking at plenary yesterday during a debate
on a motion by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and 107 others, on
Nigeria’s Outing at the AFCON 2013, Mark noted that very few people from other
African countries wanted Nigeria to win the trophy.
“From my interaction with people from other African
countries who went to watch the match, I observed that we don’t have many
friends in Africa. Only very few people, including those I interacted with in
the State bus, supported us. They believed that Nigeria is great already, and
they wanted Burkina Faso to win. I think this implies that as a nation, we
should learn to be self-reliant”, Mark said.
Mark, who called on football administrators to give
Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi a free hand to manage the team, advocated early
training of sportsmen, provision of sporting facilities at the local level and
adequate funding for sports.
Following Mark’s disclosure that Keshi had
confirmed to him his decision to resign as coach of the national team, the
Senate urged him (Keshi) to rescind such decision and went on to pass a vote of
confidence in him, his technical team and other Nigerian coaches.
The Senate commended the Eagles for winning the
trophy, observed a standing ovation in their honour and commended President
Goodluck Jonathan for motivating the team.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to
reward the Eagles handsomely and confer on them befitting national honours.
Source: Daily Trust
