The Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has urged the Federal Government to ensure full utilization of this opportunity to show case the true nature of the countr, AS THE fifa u-17 World Cup kicks off in eight centres in Nigeria.
In his speech after his investiture as the grand patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Cross River State Chapter and a National Patron respectively, Senator Imoke maintained that the fiesta is yet another opportunity to show case and promote the huge potentials that abound in the country to attract intended legitimate investors.
He added that through such efforts skeptics can be truly convinced of the hospitable nature of the people as well as see the huge business and investment opportunities to maximize profit and urged the relevant agencies to ensure that Nigeria is adequately packaged and show cased to the world.
While commending the role of the supporters club which he noted as one of the most recognized entities in the game of soccer in Nigeria, Governor Imoke called on them to ensure that the maintain discipline, orderliness, and peace in all their outings and promised to support them as well as ensure that Cross Riverians are fully mobilized to turn out en mass for the game as Calabar is the only centre in the South South.
Earlier, the President General, Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, who said that he was in the State to seek for support for the clubs to enable them function effectively in the Calabar sub-seat, urged the State Government to ensure that adequate measures are in place to ensure hitch free tournament.
He maintained that only when the event is adjudged successful could FIFA be propelled to host another event in such country and called on the State Government to shower its hospitality on the visitors who will come to Calabar to make the event a memorable one.