Governor Babatunde Fashola on Thursday said football could be used to fight poverty and other social problems in Africa if its potential was fully developed by the continent.
Fashola made the remark when he was presented with the UEFA Champions League trophy in his office at Alausa, Lagos.
The trophy is currently on tour of countries, which give massive support to the UEFA Champions League.
Former World Footballer of the Year and Heineken Brand Ambassador, Ruud Gullit, led other officials of the beer company to present the trophy to the governor.
Fashola said football had the power to grow the economies in the continent if it was well run with the right investments.
He said: “Football has the great power to grow economies and alleviate poverty.
“It can empower millions of kids and take millions of people off the streets.
“It can create jobs in the stadia, such as stewards, food vending, transportation, jerseys manufacturing.
“In fact, the list is endless.
“So what we should be thinking of is how to transform this global passion into great economic opportunities for the continent.”
The governor said that better managed African leagues with the right sponsorship deals and TV rights would help transform football in the continent.
He said if all of these were possible in Europe, they were also possible in Africa.
Fashola thanked the promoters of the trophy tour for the presentation, noting that he would savour the feeling for a long time.
The governor urged the promoters to organise a place where kids could come, see and feel the trophy before it moves to another country.
According to him, this will create so much excitement in the kids and rekindle their passion for football.
The governor said he was considering the idea of bringing Gullit to the state to inspire the teeming youths to football.
Earlier, Gullit said he was excited to be in Nigeria for the first time, especially as he was an admirer of the Super Eagles.
He said: “We know how well the Super Eagles do in competitions and I have played against them in charities.
“I feel great to be here.”
Gullit said the trophy invoked some nostalgia in him as a one-time footballer and that he was excited taking the trophy he once won as a player on a tour.
Ex-Super Eagles stars, Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh, witnessed the trophy presentation.
UEFA trophy: Fashola advocates use of football to fight poverty
