The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday received the UEFA Champions League trophy alongside its ambassador and former captain of Barcelona FC of Spain, Carles Puyol, in Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
Puyol, a three-time Champions League winner, is in Nigeria on a three-day visit to lead the UEFA Champions League Tour connecting with consumers and football lovers.
Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Tandoh, also received Nigeria football legend, Austin JayJay Okocha, who was part of the delegation.
Speaking while receiving the trophy, Governor Ambode expressed excitement with the fact that the organisers of the tour considered Lagos as one of the states to visit. He said the development was particularly gratifying more so that the synergy between sports and entertainment as well as tourism had been massively played up in the last four years.
The governor also lauded the contribution of Puyol and Okocha to the development of the round leather game in Nigeria and worldwide, saying they deserved to be appreciated and celebrated.
“I must say I am very pleased with the organisers of this Trophy Tour for deeming it fit to take the UEFA Champions League Cup to Lagos. We are particularly excited because our administration has focused on the synergy between sports, tourism, entertainment and the arts, among others and the people can see the positive effects of our efforts in that regard.
“We are pleased to also welcome Barcelona FC and Champions League legend, Carles Puyol, to Lagos, as well as our legend, JayJay Okocha to Lagos House. Many of us underrate this legend that we have and just yesterday, I understand Puyol had a very difficult time on the field of play in Uyo when JayJay had to give him a few tricks.
“Unfortunately, JayJay did not get to play for Barcelona; he would have lifted the Champions League but I must say we appreciate what Okocha has done for Nigerian football. If you have a player that is sometimes compared to Messi, Maradona and spoken about in the same breath, then we know we have a star in our midst and so I like to thank JayJay for his contribution to football,” Governor Ambode said.
He said in order to ensure a successful trophy tour, the relevant security and government agencies have been contacted, assuring that all the activities lined-up as part of the tour would be hugely successful.
While wishing the team a successful tour in Nigeria, Mr Ambode said the state government would be glad to receive the trophy back in the state in the nearest future, just as he assured that the government remained committed to making Lagos the sports hub not just in Africa but the entire world.
Speaking earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, organisers of the Trophy Tour, Jordi Bel, thanked Governor Ambode for warmly receiving the team, saying the trophy tour was specifically organised to bring the tournament closer to fans.
He said as part of the tour, there would be a road show from Maryland Bus Stop to Ikeja City Mall, among other activities.
He commended Governor Ambode for his well-thought-out policies and projects in all sectors and sections of the state, saying the governor deserved to be appreciated for also creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
“I will like to say that this visit is a great opportunity for the management team of Nigerian Breweries to appreciate Governor Ambode on the success that he has recorded in the last four years of administering the state which is a testament to the fact that well-thought policies have been implemented as has been witnessed in security, in transportation, in health, in welfare sectors in the state, and particularly in the continuous construction of impactful infrastructure as well as the governor’s focused and dynamic leadership in the state.
“We also want to thank the governor for sustaining a supportive business environment in the state,” he said.
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