Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed his desire to work with the governor of Kogi state Yahaya Bello in fostering youth leadership in Nigeria.
The ace footballer made known his desire when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor on Sunday.
Obi said it was time for the Youths to come out and take leadership positions across all boards for the betterment of Nigeria.
He pledged support for Bello’s political aspirations, adding that youths should be given a chance to get the change Nigerians clamour for.
“It is an honour for me to finally meet his Excellency personally after all the good things I have heard and read about him from not just the people of Kogi State but from Nigerians,” Mikel said.
“My main aim is to come here to show my appreciation and to thank him for all the things he has been doing for the people and also to support him in whatever future political positions he wants to go into.
“I will like to be there to support him, to be there by his side through this journey for him to achieve whatever he wants which is for the betterment of Nigeria.
“What better person to lead the youths than him, because he has been doing all these good works and that is why I am here to see whatever way I can come in.
“To get the youths together to know and see how we can make things better for our country and how we can align to achieve all that”
Responding, Bello thanked Obi for the visit and his pledge to support the course for youth leadership.
He reiterated that it was time for the youths to take the opportunity that had presented itself.
He thanked the ace footballer for lauding his efforts in the state, noting that the security and welfare of his people and Nigerians remained his priority.
The governor noted that when there was political stability in a country, economic prosperity and development would be achieved.
He urged Obi to use his voice and his platform to advocate and call on youths to vie for leadership position to change the existing narratives in line with the current realities.