Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, remarked that Nigeria harbors many talented youths akin to Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old who led Spain to victory in the Euro 2024 championship against England. Obi highlighted the exceptional football skills of Nigerian youth, lamenting that government policies and support have not adequately facilitated their success.
In a statement shared on his social media handle, Obi underscored the potential of football to address youth unemployment if properly developed and supported by federal and state governments.
“Watching the Euro 2024 final match between Spain and England, I was struck by the remarkable football skills of young Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal. At just 17, Yamal astonished the world with his prowess, becoming the youngest goal scorer in Euros and international football, surpassing Pele’s record and setting a new standard that will be hard to surpass.
“His achievements remind me of the immense potential of Nigerian youths, who are gifted in various ways and can achieve similar success with adequate investment and support.
“As I have consistently advocated, leaders should invest in sports as a means of empowering our youths, steering them away from social vices and fostering national unity,” Obi emphasized.
The former Anambra governor, speaking on World Youth Skills Day, proposed football as a pathway for Nigeria to generate foreign exchange. He urged both federal and state governments to prioritize youth empowerment by fostering their skills development and support.
“Through sports investment, we can cultivate a generation of football stars to export globally, earn foreign exchange, and engage a significant number of productive youths contributing to the nation’s development,” he concluded.