Dangote splashes N130m on Eagles for reaching AFCON final

Category: Sports Published on Friday, 08 February 2013 06:00 Written by Sunday Williams

Nigeria’s players celebrate at the end of the 2013 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match, Mali vs Nigeria on February 6, 2013 in Durban. Nigeria won 4-1.

President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has splashed the sum of N130 million on the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles for reaching the finals of athe ongoing 29thAfrica Cup of Nations,AFCON, in South Africa.

The Super Eagles reached the finals of AFCON 2013 by thrashing the Eagles of Mali 4-1 on Wednesday.

A statement from Dangote Group explained that the gesture is part of Dangote Group’s corporate social responsibility ( CSR ) to promote and encourage sports development in Nigeria.

It said that the donation is to acknowledge the exploits of the national team at the AFCON and stimulate them to bring home the coveted trophy.

Sports minister Mallam Bolaji Abudllahi speaking on the donation said: “Dangote has always demonstrated commitment to Government and people of Nigeria. We are happy over the gesture shown to the players and the coaching crew. It is an example for other well-meaning Nigerians to

follow.”

Football enthusiasts commended Aliko Dangote on the gesture describing it as a necessary tonic that would inspire the Super Eagles to win the final match on Sunday February 10 against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

Ephraim Ubong, a football lover and Super Eagles supporter believes that the donation would spur the national team to win the trophy. Ubong, a staff of a creative agency in Lagos charged other wealthy Nigerians and organizations to emulate Dangote by donating cash and materials to the national team.