Buhari names Governor Ambode as a member of Nigeria's official World Cup delegation

LAGOS State's Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been appointed as a member of the federal government delegation to the 2018 World Cup in Russia by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sports minister Solomon Dalung, made the announcement when he led a delegation of the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) to visit the governor. According to Mr Dalung, President Buhari recently approved Governor Ambode as a member of the government delegation to lead and represent him and other Nigerians at the World Cup in Russia.

Mr Dalung said: “The president’s approval of Ambode as a member of the delegation is borne out of the conviction that he is one of the governors that has invested heavily in sports development. Nigeria as a country is in the bid to host an international Paralympic Championships in Lagos, come 2019 and as part of the requirements for qualification, the international delegation is in Nigeria to conduct training and inspect facilities

“The international delegation was sent to Nigeria to conduct training for the leadership of the Nigerian Para Powerlifting Federation (NPPF) and stakeholders on the responsibilities of the hosting rights for the 2019 World Power Paralympics Championship."

In response, Governor Ambode in response praised the president for appointing him as one of the delegates. Already young footballer Ayomide Ayanbunmi and aspiring journalist Hussain Dikko have left for Russia for the Football for Friendship Programme put together by Gazprom in conjunction with Fifa as part of the World Cup.

According to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the  programme aims to develop youth football by championing sport and a healthy lifestyle, promoting friendship between children from different countries, fostering social values such as respect for other cultures and nations and commitment to principles of equality in the younger generation. Thousands of children meet at these events, communicate, share their experiences, make friends, learn to find common language and understand each other.

Nigeria's contingent to the event will include the manager of Football for Friendship Programme in Nigeria Shola Ogunnowo and Ayodele Ibidapo of the NFF communications department. Due to start before the World Cup, the event, which   begins on June 8 ends on  June 16.