Following the successful completion of the screening exercise for A.S. Roma trials in Abuja soon , youths from Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin and Oshodi Isolo Local government Areas of Lagos State have commended Honourable Jude Idimogu for the innovation , urging other state House of Assembly lawmakers to emulate the vision of the politician.
A cross section of youths who took turns to speak in line with crime reduction and other vices in Lagos and Nigeria called on politicians to look inward in promoting sport related activities and talent discovery.
According to them, the Lagos based politician has created an enabling environment for the reduction of crime in the Lagos, even as they described Idimogu’s innovation as an intervention to sport development in the state.
Speaking shortly after the football selection on Wednesday, Mmadu Prince Ikechukwu (20) called on other politicians to work closely with the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the need to promote grassroots football.
Ikechukwu who was selected for the AS Roma trials in Abuja said “I have put in my best for this result. I want to say a big thanks to the Honourable who I do not know nor seen before. I say God bless him and give him life to enjoy his labour.
“I want other politicians to follow the footsteps of Hon Jude to fish out hidden talents.
Similarly, Kalu Chijioke (18)said ” The selection is alright, it was organized. At the end of the day people that practiced hard daily got selected.
“Those that are not selected, this is not thier last chance, they should try, for me, this is my own time, am happy and thankful to God for that.
“This has been of high standard, better than many Nigerian selections ranging from the referee, coaches and officials, all were excellent.
“I have participated in about two other trials but this one is different .
Chijioke whose dream position is centre-forward said” I started from left-back and now I play centre-forward and am comfortable with it.
Comrade Mba Temple, Secretary of Abundance United Movement Lagos, described the football talent hunt put together by Idimogu as a touch of lives adding that innovation goes beyond rice distribution and sharing of cash to followers and supporters.
While commending the politician for a job well done, he said” This football talent hunt is quiet a good one in the sense that you see a man who is generally accepted, whose ideal is to touch lives.
“This gesture supercedes buying trailers of rice to share, he is building future for these children. And from what I have seen, with John Obuh, who doesn’t believe in influencing, he will not just take them and drop them on the road, he is taking them far.
“With these talents he has come to hunt, in the next two to three years, you will see them helping other talents by so doing, such will multiply Nigerain players overseas.
Hon Jude need to be commended for this foresight of venturing into sports,”he said.
Giving a vivid background on the selection, Coach Emmanuel Sylvester, a coach with the Airforce base team otherwise BASE FC, said
“We organized this scouting tournament, we have been able to identify some good talents, we are all happy because we have got good talents.
“They will be moving to Abuja, and we hope they will move abroad from there to continue their career. Definitely they will make us proud.
“Coach Obuh did Justice to the selection process, because if you know football, no matter who and how many times you select, the good ones will reoccur in the list.
“His selection rhymed with mine. I have been in football business where I had played for Kwara United, played for other clubs in Asia. Right now am in Nigeria as a coach. Am also a football scout. We are happy.
“This type of intervention from Idimogu is what we expect from our politicians to be doing.
“This is the actual giving back to the society. By this act, it will keep the boys out of the streets discouraging them from engaging in evil vices.
“I feel every politician should emulate him. This kind is the kind we need in political positions. People who will remember the people on the street, who want a better life for them.
“The house of assembly should have a plan to engage the youths. When they do, they will not engage in Yahoo, Yahoo and ritual killings.
“If we have more of this, we will have less youths on the streets perfecting evil.”
By Kachi Victor
