Abuja – Mr Usani Uguru Usani, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has expressed readiness to partner with committed indigenes to develop the region.
Usani gave the assurance when Mr Joseph Yobo, retired Nigerian International footballer and former Captain of the Super Eagles, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Wednesday.
The minister said government held patriotic national achievers in high esteem and was always ready to work with them to actualise national development.
“It is delightful to receive Joseph Yobo today and this underscores the premium we place on our national achievers.
“Considering his contribution to the national football team and the nation at large, we are ever ready to partner with him in order to move the Niger Delta forward.
“We are aware that he runs a football academy in the Niger Delta and our partnership can commence from that by sending some of our youths to the academy”, he said.
Yobo had informed the minister that his visit was to explore a partnership with the Ministry for the sake of peace and development.
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“As a patriotic Nigerian, I have represented Nigeria in three world cup and six nations cup competitions.
“Having retired from active football, I want to continue to contribute to the development of Nigeria, particularly the Niger-Delta, which is also my region”, he said. (NAN)