The drive to bolster up football in Nigeria has gained significant momentum, with the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, mobilizing billionaire philanthropists and businessmen to invest in sports, especially the national football league.
Spearheading such efforts, he said, will help revolutionize the country’s football landscape.
Sen. Enoh has met with prominent business leader and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, and founder and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who also joined virtually.
A statement by Diana-Mary Nsan, the Special Assistant Media said the minister reiterated the importance of instilling confidence in Nigeria’s prime sport, football, through strategic investments in the local league.
He said: “We must put a home-based structure in place that reflects the charismatic, energetic, and die-hard Nigerian spirit.”
He called on the private sector to seize the vast opportunities in sports development, emphasizing its potential to drive economic growth, revenue generation, job creation, and national unity.
Reflecting on his vision for sports development in Nigeria, Enoh emphasized the need for a systemic structure that addresses the underlying challenges within the football ecosystem.
“As a sports ministry, we do not aim for superficial solutions. Our vision is to build a robust framework that tackles issues from the grassroots level up.
“Let me express my gratitude to my brother and friend Tony Elumelu, who has shown great passion and commitment in this direction,” it said.
He further elaborated on the positive outcomes of their recent meeting, where discussions centered on the acquisition of local league clubs.
Enoh commended Mr. Elumelu for his proactive approach, highlighting his efforts in reaching out to potential buyers and extending conversations to further the cause of Nigerian football.
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s local league and restoring its former glory.
“Let us rise to the occasion and bring back glory to our nation’s local league.
“The collaborative efforts of government and the private sector signal a renewed commitment to transforming Nigerian football and unlocking its full potential on the global stage.”
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