President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is will use football for the development of the girl-child and inspire young people to have rewarding careers.
President Buhari was speaking when he received the delegation from FIFA, led by its President, Gianni Infantino, and the President of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also called on the top echelon of football’s world governing body to see Nigeria as one of its greatest assets when it comes to development of football.
The President expressed delight that Nigeria has produced excellent role models that will inspire upcoming generations.
He, therefore, urged the leadership of the world football governing body to consider Nigeria top on its plan for support and investment.
He explained that the sport is being accorded the highest level of attention possible by the government to enable rapid development of abundant talents in the country.
President Buhari described football as one of the greatest sources of unity in the country as well as in many parts of the world, and pledged support for the latest FIFA initiative, the FIFA Connect programme which aims to drive football development at the grassroots using technology.