A youthful smile did not fail President Bola Tinubu on Friday when he hosted Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman, in Lagos.
The 2024 African Footballer of the Year paid a courtesy visit to Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, bringing home his enviable trophy.
He was accompanied by his father, Mr Adeyinka Lookman, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Mr Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka.
As ‘The Punch’ reports, at the Lagos House, Marina, Governor Sanwo-Olu warmly received Lookman, hailing him as a symbol of the “Greater Lagos Rising” spirit and a shining example for millions of Nigerian youths.
The visit, which was shared on X by Sanwo-Olu’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, attracted widespread excitement from Nigerians, who praised Lookman for inspiring a new generation of footballers
The governor described Lookman’s historic achievement as “not just a personal triumph, but a national moment of pride, stressing that Nigeria’s sports talents, when nurtured, have the potential to dominate the global stage.”
Lookman’s visit also extended to President Tinubu, with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, joining the delegation.
The meeting, which took place at the Lagos residence of the President, was a powerful reminder of the crucial role of leadership in supporting the aspirations of Nigerian athletes.
Lookman’s visit comes just months after he clinched the CAF African Footballer of the Year title following a remarkable season with Italian side Atalanta, where he played a pivotal role in their Europa League triumph.
His journey from Lagos streets to European stardom is a testament to the resilience and talent that define Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
As Nigeria celebrates Lookman’s feat, the nation’s leadership is reminded that champions are made when talent meets opportunity, and the future of Nigerian sports lies in harnessing the dreams of millions of young boys and girls across the country.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported earlier that Tinubu is in Lagos for the Economic Community of West African States at 50 Summit in Lagos.
