The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is set to appoint former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi as the country’s youth ambassador, according to multiple reports.
This comes barely a week after the Stoke City midfielder paid a courtesy visit to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Sunday in Abuja – where he harped on the need for youth leadership in Nigeria.
Mikel is one of the most successful Nigeria football player, having won numerous trophies with English premier league side Chelsea FC.
The former Chelsea star was also one of the few Nigerian players to have appeared at all level of football for the country.
He played in the U17 in 2003, U20 2005, Olympic in 2016 and was also part of Super Eagles team that emerged winner of African Cup of Nations in 2013.
It was confirmed on Friday that the ministry has began discussions with Mikel over the said appointment and details is already been work on.
“Mikel came with his team and details will be work out them with them, the ministry will drop an MOU and work on the details, Sports minister, Sunday Dare said.
He continued: “We have started talking to him to be a youth ambassador, beyond football he can mentor them and also lessons he has learnt as young person and as young as he is, is a legend.
“It’s phenomenon to have somebody like him, he should be able to gather young men around and talk to them.
“We want to partner with him and have documentary that can be held on mobile phones and television and rest of them so people can learn from there,” Dare added.