Jonathan appoints Mark to lead high powered to Nations Cup final

To further boost the morale and spirits of the Super Eagles ahead of the AFCON 2013 final, President Goodluck Jonathan is sending a high-powered delegation led by the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, to represent him and the Federal Government at the match in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday.

Jonathan, who, because of urgent official commitments in the United Kingdom and France cannot be physically present in Johannesburg to lead the cheering for the Super Eagles as he would have wished, has charged the delegation to ensure that the members of the team are properly motivated and in the best possible spirits for a resounding victory for the nation on Sunday.

The President asked the delegation, which also includes Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri; the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade; and the Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, to reassure the team of his full support and best wishes for victory.

They are to also inform the team that President Jonathan will host a dinner reception for them at the State House Banquet Hall at 7pm on February 12, 2013 to personally thank and honour them for their positively transformed performance in South Africa, which has undoubtedly re-established Nigeria as a major power in international soccer.

The President charged the team to go out against Burkina Faso on Sunday with the greatest determination to win a final victory that will bring immense joy and happiness to the millions of Nigerians at home and abroad who have had their pride restored by the triumphs.