Kogiflame
Former captain of Super Eagles of Nigeria, Mikel Obi on Sunday visited Gov. Yahaya Bello in Abuja as he harped on the need for youth leadership in Nigeria, pledging support Bello’s political aspirations.
Obi said that it was time for the Youths to come out and take leadership positions across all boards for the betterment of Nigeria and to get the change Nigerians clamour for.
Obi lauded Bello for all the strides he has achieved in Kogi State in the areas of security, health care, infrastructure, education, agriculture amongst others.
The soccer star added that such efforts when impacted at a higher level would be a betterment for Nigeria.
He pledged his support to Bello and also to garner the support of other youths to ensure things become better for the country.
“It was an honor 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
“My main aim was to come here to show my appreciation and to thank him for all the things he has been doing for the people of Kogi State 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 to achieve which is for the betterment of this country Nigeria.
“I hope that we can together work together as a team so that we can achieve all that.
“What better person to lead the youth 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 to see how we can make things better for our country and how we can align to achieve all that”, Obi said.
Responding, Gov. Bello thanked Obi for the visit and his pledge to support the course for youth leadership, reiterating that it is time for the youths to take the opportunity that has presented itself.
Bello also thanked Obi for lauding his efforts in Kogi-State, stating that the security and welfare of his people and Nigerians remains his priority.
The governor noted that when there is political stability in a country, economic prosperity and development is achieved.
Bello urged Mikel to use his voice and his platform to advocate and call on youths to vie for leadership position in other to change the existing narratives in line with the current realities.
“We can always come from our comfort zone to support each other and then gradually, we will simply take our other seniors to the backstage.
“And while we are taking care of them we will now drive the system according to the current realities.
“Some of them are no longer in tune with current realities, we are. And if we do not, there are generations that are coming after us and you know what, they will push us aside.
“And they may take the country to where we do not desire and we cannot complain. God forbid.
“Because when you had the time, when you had the energy, when you had the money and when you could just venture to see what could happen you did not.
“If we do not take charge we are going to blame ourselves tomorrow. The opportunity has come and it is now, not a second later.
“So you are going to integrate with us, not just as the superstar, Mikel Obi but as one who would be in tune with what is happening at home politically.
“In the Western world, because they have political stability that is why there is safety and security.
“And because there is safety and security that is why there is economic stability and that is why you can see that everyone is rushing there.
“We can as well do same. First economic stability that will guarantee security and safety and then every other thing will follow.
“Even if it is just to talk, you have millions of followers, our achievements are online where you can click, take your time to go through.
“When you go through send it through your social media handles and tell your advocates and let them see it”, Bello said.
