Last weekend, Governor Bello flew to the UK to watch the Premiership clash between the two London sides which both have huge followings in Nigeria. Local residents described the governor’s visit to Stamford Bridge as frivolous considering the financial problems Niger State is currently facing.
However, the governor explained on his Twitter page that he was at Stamford Bridge to watch the match at the instance of Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who plans to set up a football academy in the state. According to Governor Bello, Mikel approached the state government to partner him in developing sports, stressing that it will be wrong to turn down an investor who is willing to invest in the state.
Governor Bello said: “I was at Stamford Bridge to watch the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at the invitation of John Obi Mikel.”
However, local trader Moses Akwu said: “Things are hard for us in Niger while our governor is travelling to watch matches. I heard they said he was invited but is it not government resources that he used to go on the trip?
“We did not vote him in to watch football, we voted him because we want him to work and bring back the lost glory of the state. Watching matches is not governance, it is absolute recklessness.”
Another resident, Gambo Mohammed, said the governor needed to focus on governance. He added that sports development is not what Niger State needs now as its priorities should be jobs for unemployed youths, boosting the economy, agriculture and good roads.
Niger State is one of the least developed in Nigeria despite its proximity to the capital Abuja. It is also one of Nigeria's heavily indebted states, owing its workers salary arrears, which are yet to be paid despite a federal government bailout.
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