Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday led a high-powered Nigerian government delegation to the World Cup in Russia, along with sports minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung and minister for works, power and housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola.
Also in the delegation is Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) president, Engineer Habu Gumel, with the trip coming in furtherance of a recent statement by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dalung said Ambode’s appointment to lead the delegation was in recognition of the massive investment and commitment to sports development which the governor had exhibited in the last three years.
The minister also praised Ambode for repositioning sports as a catalyst for development and growth in the state.
He said: “I want to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved you as one of the members of the Federal Government delegation that would be leading and representing him and other Nigerians in Russia at the World Cup.
“The President’s approval of you as a member of that delegation is borne out of the conviction that you have been one of the governors that have invested heavily in sports and also supported sports.”
In his response, Ambode thanked Buhari for appointing him into the FG’s delegation, saying that with high moral and physical support for the Eagles, Nigerians would be made proud in Russia.
He said: “With our morale and physical support, Nigerians would be made proud and I am sure people should not bother about what they are seeing with the friendly matches; they are supposed to be friendlies and I am sure the team will put all their energy and make Nigeria proud.”
