President Goodluck Jonathan has commended Arik Air for providing the aircraft that brought the Super Eagles home from South Africa after the Africa Cup of Nations.

A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, stated that the president sent a letter of appreciation to Chairman of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide.

In the letter, according to Mr. Abati, the president said, "your very kind gesture of providing the aircraft that brought our gallant and victorious team and officials back home from South Africa was an act of high patriotism worthy of note."

The president expressed the confidence that Mr. Arumemi-Ikhide would continue to avail the nation of his worthy endowments in the future.

He challenged others to emulate the Arik Air chairman's demonstration of enduring faith in Nigeria.

The Super Eagles emerged African Champions on Sunday after defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. They, alongside the supporters, returned on Tuesday aboard an Arik Air flight. (NAN)