The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday evening, warmly received celebrated Nigerian football star and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, at the Lagos House, Marina, during a courtesy visit that underscored the State’s continued support for excellence in sports and youth development.
Lookman, who was recently crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was accompanied by his proud father and the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Mr. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka (Sulu Authority). The highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of the prestigious CAF award to Mr. Governor.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while welcoming Lookman and his entourage, congratulated the footballer on his remarkable achievement, describing it as a moment of pride for Nigeria and a testament to the resilience, discipline, and talent of the nation’s youth. He commended Lookman for flying the Nigerian flag high on the global football stage and serving as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the continent.
“Ademola Lookman’s success represents the future we envision for our youth — a future built on hard work, dedication, and the courage to dream big,” the Governor said. “As Lagos continues to invest in grassroots sports and infrastructure, stories like Ademola’s reaffirm our belief in the power of sports to change lives and elevate communities.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to sports development in Lagos, highlighting ongoing efforts to upgrade stadiums, support youth sports initiatives, and encourage private sector involvement in talent discovery and development.
In his remarks, Ademola Lookman expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for the warm reception and acknowledged the critical role that support from home plays in his continued success. He pledged to continue giving his best and serving as a worthy ambassador of Lagos and Nigeria.
The courtesy visit was also an opportunity to discuss strategies for deeper collaboration in youth and sports development between the Lagos State Government and national stakeholders.
With this visit, Ademola Lookman not only celebrated his personal milestone but also reignited hope and excitement for the future of Nigerian football.
