By TINA TIMOTHY

The Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed hope in Nigeria as a home of talents despite obstacles.

Obi, on his verified X handle @PeterObi, on Monday, February 12, 2024, congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who although lost to the defending champions, Cote d’Ivoire, “put in their best efforts with high energy, stamina, and tactics”, adding that “their labours were not in vain.”

He wrote: "And with our final match against our dear African brothers, Cote d’Ivoire, today, we come to the end of the AFCON tournament. Our national team, the Super Eagles, put in their best efforts with high energy, stamina, and tactics, but in the end, Cote d’Ivoire emerged victorious and won the cup. I congratulate our national team, and indeed every Nigerian, for our great display of talents and football skills which took us far in the tournament.

“The eventual outcome of the game did not in any way remove the fact that Nigeria is a home of talents, as exemplified by our national team. Once again, our players, with their outstanding performance, energy, and zeal, reflected the resilient spirit of the Nigerian people, the giants of Africa, who even in the face of obstacles continue to persevere to success, in every area of life. It was a fierce battle on the football pitch, and I salute their professionalism, dedication, and drive for success.

“I sincerely appreciate, and congratulate the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Eagles Coach, the management, the technical and medical crew, and all who sacrificed tirelessly to actualize our victory today. Their labours were not in vain.”

Obi further commended Nigerians for their unity and support for the national team and implored all to continue to unite and join hands to build Nigeria, so as to “overcome all the challenges that contend with our progress”.

“Today, as a nation, the fire of unity was rekindled among us, as we all united as one big family to support our national team and pray for their victory. In our journey to the New Nigeria we look forward to, we must unite as one, and collectively build our nation.

“We will overcome all the challenges that contend with our progress if we unite,” Obi said.

The LP presidential candidate also mourned those who lost their lives in the course of the football matches and prayed God to grant them eternal rest.

Continuing, he wrote: “To our fellow compatriots who lost their lives in the course of the football matches, we remember and mourn them today. These our countrymen, wishing nothing but victory to our dear nation, lost their lives while praying for our victory. We are saddened that they are not physically with us today to witness the great show of sportsmanship displayed by our national team.

“May God grant them eternal rest and grant their families, and all of us, the fortitude to bear their irreplaceable loss.”

Obi also felicitated with Cote d’Ivoire and enjoined all to contribute to building the “New Africa we all desire”.

“I say a very big congratulations to the AFCON Champions, Cote d’Ivoire.

“They fought gallantly and emerged winners at the end. I salute them and wish them and their nation the very best as we all continue to build the New Africa we all desire,” he added.

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