By Emma Ogbuehi
The flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Anambra November governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo, has promised to make football a lucrative venture in the State if elected as governor.
Ozigbo made the commitment on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, when he attended a dinner event organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in honour of the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Africa’s richest man, President and Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Chief Allen Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace; Philips Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Ebele Obiano, First Lady of Anambra State and Nigeria’s sports minister, Sunday Dare were among the dignitaries at the exclusive event.
Infantino was on a working visit to Nigeria to attend the Aisha Buhari Invitational Cup for women football teams.
Ozigbo, a respected business leader, is the Founder and Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, the biggest promoter of freestyle football in Africa. While speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, he paid tribute to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, for consistently breaking new grounds with football in Nigeria.
According to Ozigbo, Nigeria is on the right track to return to the glory days of Nigerian football. He also promised to continue to play a significant role in promoting the game in Africa and his home state, Anambra.
“My good friend, Amaju Pinnick, has proven to be a visionary football administrator, and I am proud of the giant strides he has made so far.
“I am in the race to be governor of Anambra State, and I am looking forward to partnering with the NFF to ensure that football becomes lucrative in my home state.
“Football is like a religion in Nigeria. Unfortunately, we have not harnessed its huge commercial potential, especially in Anambra State. I am committed to ensuring that Anambra becomes a viable ground for football development in the country” Ozigbo said
Members of the football community and a host of business magnates graced the event. Several presidents of football federations in Africa, led by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, also attended the event.
Ozigbo’s Feet ‘N’ Tricks International owns the sole rights to host the annual Nigeria Freestyle Football Championship and the African Freestyle Football Championship. Beginning in 2017, the company raised awareness of the sport on the continent, making freestyle football the fastest growing type of football in Africa.