The National Orientation Agency (NOA), the government organ charged with redirecting the patriotic fervour of the average Nigerian on the right path on Thursday morning visited the national team in Abuja, during its training session at the Goal Project site, where the team is girding its loins against the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire by July 27.
The team was led to the early morning training session by the Director General of the organisation, Mike Omeri, who was accompanied by several aides including his respected Media aide, Paul Odenyi.
Speaking at the occasion, Omeri praised the resilience of the national team, which he said led to the win of the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa and urged the local based professionals to sustain the tempo by defeating the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire in the retun leg, final qualifier for CHAN in Abidjan. The amiable NOA DG, said he was there not only as a Nigerian but to urge the players to be focused, determined and patriotic in all their encounters for fatherland.
“There are millions of other Nigerians yearning for opportunities like you have and they may even be better than you but God has chosen you. We must therefore show gratitude by not only doing well but giving our all at all times when we are donning our national colours. Omeri told the players that the recent bonus issues regarding the team was being addressed at the highest level and noted that government will soon come out with a satisfactory position to all parties concerned.
After making a donation of unspecified amount to the team, Omeri announced that Nigerian flags will flood Abidjan through the Nigerian Supporters Club and the NOA on match day. Eagles captain, Chigozie Agbim, who spoke on behalf of the team said the team was in the right frame of mind to excel against the Ivorians and assured the NOA leadership and Nigerians that the team will not let the nation down.
