By Chibuike Nwabuk
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDP), Peter Obi, has called for greater investment in sports development, saying it can be used to engage young people, create employment and tackle crime in Nigeria.
Obi made the call in a post on his X handle on Sunday after watching a local league match between Enugu Rangers FC and Ikorodu City FC at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
He attended the match alongside Ladipo Johnson, the NDC candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District, and Aisha Jimoh, the NDC candidate for Lagos Island Constituency II in the House of Representatives.
Reflecting on the match, Obi said he was struck by the opportunities that sports could provide for young Nigerians, citing Brazil and Jamaica as examples of countries that had used sports to engage young people, fight crime and create opportunities.
He expressed concern over what he described as the poor development of sports in Nigeria, noting that the approximately 10,000-capacity Onikan Stadium had fewer than 2,000 spectators during the match.
“Nigeria has no shortage of sporting talent. What we lack is the vision and commitment to turn that talent into opportunities for our young people,” he said.
Obi stressed that sports should be viewed beyond entertainment, arguing that its proper development could contribute significantly to youth development, employment generation and social transformation.
“Sport is not merely entertainment; properly developed, it can be a powerful tool for youth development, employment, and social transformation,” he said.
He concluded with his familiar call for a new Nigeria, saying: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
