The Lagos state Governor Babatunde Fashola Thursday received the UEFA Champions League Trophy, even as he urged African continent to tap into the opportunities the game of football present.

The governor added that tapping into the benefits of football would help the continent grow its economy and alleviate poverty. Fashola who spoke after receiving the trophy at the State House, Ikeja as part of the ongoing trophy tour in Lagos, said “millions of children on the streets can benefit from the enterprise the game of football brings, and that opportunities abound in the round leather game, which has become a major economic benefit to global development.”

(L-R) Heineken Ambassador, Mr Ruud Gullit, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola at the presentation of the UEFA Champions League Trophy to the Governor at Alausa, Lagos on Thursday.

Among those at the presentation include former Super Eagles players, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh, former European Footballer of the Year, Ruud Gullit and top management of Heineken, sponsors of the UEFA Champions League football competition.

The governor therefore stated “We must take benefit of the power of football as a tool for growing economy and for alleviating poverty. We can take millions of kids off the streets, through jobs in stadia, stewards, food vendors, transportation, jersey manufacturing, and so on”.

He said that one of the lessons of the success of the UEFA Champions League and the followership it has gained across the world is what the continent could tap into to boost the followership of African football club competitions.

Gullit, a two time winner of the UEFA Champions League, while unveiling the trophy with the Governor said it was his first visit to Nigeria, just as he commended the country for producing excellent football players in the past.