Ferdinand, who led Manchester United to win both the 2008 English Premiership Shield and the Champions League Cup, was invited to Nigeria by the Lagos State government as a role model to inspire young ones for the Street Soccer Tournament that was organised by the state.

But Kanu, unarguably, one of the most successful African players of our time, while assessing the idea of inviting Ferdinand for the event by the Governor Raji Fashola-led government, said the purported amount used in flying in the Manchester United player to Lagos was a colossal waste.

Kanu, a UNICEF Ambassador, who was guest to Search and Groom and UNICEF at an event organised by the duo organisations to mark the Children’s Day celebration, averred that the taxpayers’ money, which was sunk into the venture of bringing Ferdinand to the country, should have been used to uplift the lives of the citizenry.

"The idea of Street Soccer is commendable I must confess, but what is the significance of inviting Rio Ferdinand for the event? Kanu queried.
"If you ask me, I would say the invitation was unnecessary. The huge amount I learnt that was used in bringing Ferdinand to Nigeria should have been channeled to more useful ventures.
"A lot of children in Nigeria are in the streets without food, shelter and proper education. That huge amount of money, lavished on the England player, should have been used to better the lives of such children.

"I grew up in the streets and I know what street life is like. That’s why it pains me a great deal when I see children languishing out there.
"We should learn to channel every little penny we have as individuals or government towards uplifting the lives of the children in our streets," he advised.

Kanu, a member of the 1993 team that won the Under-17 World Cup in Japan, however, advised children to be dedicated in whatever profession they find themselves, be it mechanic, bricklaying or anything, adding that there’s no other way to success than through hard work.
"There is no miracle to success in life. If a man is dedicated to whatever profession he finds himself he will reach any height he wishes to attain.

"My advice also goes to parents who are fond of abandoning their children early in life to cater for themselves. Parents should endeavour to be responsive to their children’s needs and try to take responsibilities in bringing them up so that they will become useful citizens both to themselves and to the country as a whole.

"I praise UNICEF and Search and Groom for hatching the idea of lifting children out of poverty. I, therefore encourage other NGOs in Nigeria to emulate UNICEF in this area," Kanu stated.

"The idea of Street Soccer is commendable I must confess, but what is the significance of inviting Rio Ferdinand for the event? Kanu queried.
"If you ask me, I would say the invitation was unnecessary. The huge amount I learnt that was used in bringing Ferdinand to Nigeria should have been channeled to more useful ventures.
"A lot of children in Nigeria are in the streets without food, shelter and proper education. That huge amount of money, lavished on the England player, should have been used to better the lives of such children.

"I grew up in the streets and I know what street life is like. That’s why it pains me a great deal when I see children languishing out there.
"We should learn to channel every little penny we have as individuals or government towards uplifting the lives of the children in our streets," he advised.

smile4kenn:


But Kanu, unarguably, one of the most successful African players of our time, while assessing the idea of inviting Ferdinand for the event by the Governor Raji Fashola-led government, said the purported amount used in flying in the Manchester United player to Lagos was a colossal waste.

Kanu, a UNICEF Ambassador, who was guest to Search and Groom and UNICEF at an event organised by the duo organisations to mark the Children’s Day celebration, averred that the taxpayers’ money, which was sunk into the venture of bringing Ferdinand to the country, should have been used to uplift the lives of the citizenry.

"The idea of Street Soccer is commendable I must confess, but what is the significance of inviting Rio Ferdinand for the event? Kanu queried.
"If you ask me, I would say the invitation was unnecessary. The huge amount I learnt that was used in bringing Ferdinand to Nigeria should have been channeled to more useful ventures.
"A lot of children in Nigeria are in the streets without food, shelter and proper education. That huge amount of money, lavished on the England player, should have been used to better the lives of such children.

smile4kenn:

Street soccer holds every Saturday and Sunday in 57 centres across the state with the opportunity for teams to transfer players between Mondays and Thursdays.

“We are proud of this initiative and we believe it will go a long way to help in the development of the game in Lagos,” Adeniji-Adele added.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200806030193.html

he State of Aquatic Splendour and Centre of Excellence is inviting the Ferdinand as a role model fo the youths who would participate in the Street Soccer Event that is being used to boost grassroot sports in the State. Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Prince Adeniji Adele who announced the coming of the ace defender said that Governor Babatunde Fashola, himself an ardent fan of Man Utd had given his blessings to the coming of Rio Ferdinand.

"As you all know, the Governor is a Sports man per excellence and also an ardent fan of Man Utd. He is enthusiastic about the positive impact the presence of Rio Ferdinand will give to our greater tomorrows", the Commissioner, himself a staunch fan of Chelsea announced.

The commissioner who also informed that all arrangements have been concluded on the visit said that the Manchester Skipper would also inaugurate the Lagos Junior League for players between the ages of 14 and 16.

The Theme of the Street Soccer Challenge would be 'Sports, Entertainment and Education'. The Street Soccer takes place every Saturday and Sunday in 57 centres across the State with a transfer window open to teams between Mondays and Thursdays. The Theme Song for the show is "Pass The Ball" and it is produced by Michael Odesanya.

What's the relevance of an Rio to street soccer?

Did he ever play something like that?

WHat wiould he teach the lads?

HOw I played soccer in uk with boot s or what?

Fash is a manu fan - Fash welcomed him

2+2 - u should know this invitation wasn't in the interest of the public

bringing rio ferdinand to nigeria was a waste of money. fashola, for d good he has been doing messed up. the whole thing looks to be a selfish act.remember he is also a man united fan. and please, WHO GIVES A Bleep ABOUT RIO FERDINAND

2NDLY, the idea of inviting MAN UTD and portsmouth can also be described as stupid and a waste of money. can u imagine that those 'buisness men' in tinapa paid up to 400 million naira for man utd to play the super eagels, portsmouth and a nigerian club. now man utd claim they are going to play just a single match.

people, don't u think that amount is just too ridiculous.
hopefully, man utd wont use their key players( ronaldo ,rooney and co). and all nigerians would be dissappointed

tkb417:

stop missing the point bruv. He just came to flag it off. . .hes not the tutor

who says he's the tutor?

What those pikins will remember him for is what they see on TV or do u have any documentary to show his street soccer days. The likes of Ronaldo and 'dinho sha had theirs

he grew up in Peckham, he was a street boi too. can u see the similarity

You are not responding to the question

football of courseermmm, can u explain this because no one will understan this part. what were u trying to say?
don't personalise this thing. . .and this your point is seriously irrelevant to the issue

If you don't play politics, you don't see well
now, u missed it totally
which of them is not in the best interest of the public?
RIO coming to Lagos? RIO came to see Fashola and they used that opportunity for him to flag off the project
so what public interest are we talking about?
its just like Mandela flagging off a CHOGM conference and some dudes asking why Mandela or how the coming of Mandela will benefit them.
make una stop to this thing abeg


SA is a member of the commonwealth; so you see the relevance


how much did they build Abuja stadium? in short, let me break it down
FOOTBALL IS BIG BIZ

We all know Abuja Stadium was built solely for the AAG 2003

capice? capisici?

tkb417:

@Mustay
i don tire. . .i no dey talk again
ok. na waste of money. i don gree
lol!