Today’s ceremony marks an event that I believe is as significant for African football, as it is for youth development and nation-building.

What we are doing today is significant not because it is unprecedented. It is significant, even in a historic sense, because we are here to launch a new solution to old problems in a manner that is innovative and sustainable.

Globalisation of resources and markets has redefined the parameters for success in our time. Neither education nor raw talents would suffice by themselves. The two must be embedded in a harmony of abilities and skills that respond to the demands of the emerging highly competitive global markets.

Developing citizens and individuals fit enough to play at this global level in all sectors and endeavours is a major challenge which compels us to continue to search for common and innovative solutions as citizens, as policy managers, and as businesses.

The Football College of Excellence, Ilorin, Kwara State, represents our will to position our young citizens to play in the global market. The foundation that we lay today is therefore, the foundation for the future of these citizens of our country, these citizens of our continent, who would be citizens of the world. Indeed, I consider myself privileged to be part of this moment in history.

I am glad to note that this project is receiving the support it deserves at the highest level of football management in the world. We need no further proof of this support than the presence among us here of the President of CAF, Alhaji Issa Hayatou and the goodwill and endorsement messages we have received from FIFA.

I must thank my friend Kojo Williams, for his zeal and tenacity that have largely brought us this far.  I hereby invite other individuals and groups who possess great ideas like Mr. Williams’ to come to Kwara State. Today, by the grace of God, we remain the foremost centre of innovation and the number one investment destination in Nigeria.

I thank you all, and God bless.