DANGOTE SPLASHES N130M ON SUPER EAGLES FOR REACHING FINALS

The 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 in the ongoing 29th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa. 
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The national team, the Super Eagles reached the finals of AFCON 2013 by thrashing the Malian national team 4-1.

A statement from Dangote Group explained that the gesture was part of Dangote Group's corporate social responsibility ( CSR ) to promote and encourage sports development in Nigeria.  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 Abudullahi, speaking on the donation said: 'Dangote has always demonstrated commitment to the government and people of Nigeria. We are happy over the gesture shown the players and the coaching crew. It is an example for other well-meaning Nigerians to follow.' 

Football enthusiasts have 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 andorganisations to emulate Dangote by donating cash and materials to the national team. 

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, kicked off from January 19 while the finals will be played on February 10, 2013. The competition is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Starting from this edition, the tournament was switched to being held in odd-numbered years instead of even-numbered years so that it does not clash with the FIFA World Cup. 

The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil as the representative from CAF.

Dangote, a renowned philanthropist, uses the Dangote Foundation as a vehicle to drive his corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Each year, he spends hundreds of millions of naira in donations that add value to the society both within and outside the shores of Nigeria. The Foundation intervenes in the areas of health, education and empowerment.