President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, says the presence of FIFA president, Gianni Infantino and CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the A’isha Buhari Invitational Tournament, also known as A’isha Buhari Cup, in Lagos on Wednesday, is a boost to push for more attention to the challenges confronting the girl-child in Nigeria and the African continent.
Infantino and billionaire businessman, Motsepe, who took leadership of the African football –ruling body six months ago, landed in the City of Lagos on Wednesday, hours before the commencement of a tournament staged in honour of the name and Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Dr. (Mrs.) A’isha Buhari and with the instrumental theme: ‘Playing for Good‘.
It also dovetails with the key objectives of the First Lady’s Future Assured Programme (under the Aisha Buhari Foundation), which is concerned with the health, education and economic empowerment of women and the girl-child.
The two prominent figures in the global game shared the presidential box of the remodeled Mobolaji Johnson Arena, on Lagos Island with top-ranking political figures such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, his wife Ibijoke, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare and the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.
There were also FA presidents from other African nations, including Ghana FA President, Kurt Okraku (who is also president of the WAFU B) and the president of Mali FA, Mamoutou Toure.
Infantino and Motsepe were then treated to a dinner at the Sky Lounge of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, where they mingled with the best of Nigeria’s corporate best, which included billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, Central Bank Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele and Chief Executive Officers of NFF’s partner and sponsor-companies.
Both eminent men thereafter flew to the nation’s federal capital, Abuja, where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa.
