Director General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe hosted some Nigerian community leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday to thank them for the huge support they gave to the Super Eagles while campaigning for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations glory in the country for the past 25 days.

The amiable tourism chief treated the leaders to sumptuous meals Monday afternoon at Jummy Kitchen, Johannesburg and at the lunch were President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, General Secretary of the Union, President National Association of Nigeria Students in South Africa, Smart Nwobi, General Secretary Nigeria Union Gauteng Province, Hon. Mathias Afolabi Sagbo.

Others that attended included President Ohaneze South Africa, Okogiri Smart, General Secretary National Association of Nigerian Students South Africa, Ozoemena Nnamdi and representative of Afenifere and Hausa Community in South Africa.

Runsewe used the opportunity of the lunch to thank the major community leaders in South Africa and urged them to continue to project the good image of Nigeria in the country.

"We thought it wise and necessary to see you and also thank our community leaders in South Africa for the love and huge support you have accorded the Super Eagles and the team officials here in South Africa. I took permission from the Senate President who represented our sports loving President Goodluck Jonathan in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that was won by the Eagles to come and thank you for the support you gave to the team and he happily obliged me and that is the reason I am here today (Monday).

"I am particularly happy that when I came to give out souvenirs to our people here in Pretoria before the Sunday's AFCON final, I was expecting to see just 30 persons but over 700 people gathered at the field that day and I was really happy and overwhelmed by the large turn-out that day.

"Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan) who sent me to you is very happy with your good conduct in this country and urged you to keep Nigeria flag flying here in South Africa. I am particularly happy with the fact that there was no single report from the South Africa police of any violence or criminal activities from Nigerians in South Africa before, during and after the match. That shows that Nigerians are well organized.

"So I make bold to say from today (Monday) Friends of Nigeria has been launched in South Africa." Runsewe summed up.