Throwback Pictures Show Saraki’s Memorable Moments With Mourinho, Other Global Superstars in Ilorin
- Bukola Saraki, a former governor and ex-senate president, is a popular figure in Nigerian politics
- As governor of Kwara state in Nigeria's north-central region, Saraki brought his local and international exposure to bear on governance
- Legit.ng takes a flashback to when Saraki invited global superstars to Kwara state during his time as governor
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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.
Ilorin, Kwara state - Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki was the governor of Kwara state from 2003 to 2011.
Subsequently, between 2015 and 2019, the former medical officer led the Nigerian senate as president.
Source: Facebook
As governor of Kwara state, in 2006, Saraki invited Jay Z to Kwara state to have a feel of the efforts being made by his government. Jay Z travelled to Nigeria with Beyonce, his wife.
In this report, Legit.ng highlights the global superstars whose visits to Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, were facilitated by Saraki.
1) Akon
On October 2, 2010, popular Senegalese-American singer Akon was live in Ilorin to mark Nigeria's Independence Day celebrations courtesy of the Saraki administration.
Akon performed at the Metropolitan Square alongside local stars like former musical duo P-Square, D'banj, Naeto C, Lynx, and Wande Coal, among others
The event also marked the official opening of the Metropolitan Square in Asa Dam which was constructed by the state government.
2) Jose Mourinho
In 2009, world-famous Portuguese football coach, Jose Mourinho — then with Inter Milan of Italy — paid a courtesy visit to Saraki, who was the governor of Kwara state at the time.
Mourinho, who stayed in Kwara for five days, was involved in coaching, training and marketing, to further raise the profile of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA). Mourinhos' visit greatly lifted the spirits of the KFA players and raised the bar in the academy’s administration.
During the visit, the self-styled ‘Special One’ also met key sports stakeholders in the colossal African nation.
The visit of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and UEFA Cup winner created excitement in the country and was seen as a very big development given Mourinho’s stature. Former Super Eagles manager Clemens Westerhof was KFA's director at the time.
3) Issa Hayatou
In 2005, now-late Issa Hayatou, who was the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the time, was in Kwara at the behest of Saraki.
Hayatou was a special guest at the foundation laying ceremony of the Football College of Excellence at the Kwara Township Stadium, Ilorin.
In the same vein, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter (head of the world football governing body at the time) endorsed the Football College of Excellence. In a letter of commendation sent to the then-chairman of the college, Anthony Kojo Williams, Blatter expressed optimism that the establishment of the institution would play a key role in helping to develop the game in Nigeria.
Legit.ng reports that as governor, Saraki is credited with investing in sports and youth development
4) Jay-Z
During his visit to Ilorin in 2006, Jay-Z was turbaned as the 'Serikin Waka of Ilorin' by the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari. The American came to Nigeria with his partner and fellow musician, Beyonce.
Saraki named a street after the American rapper in Ilorin.
'My last encounter with Yar'Adua’s mum' - Saraki
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Saraki mourned the death of Hajiya Dada, mother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
Yar’adua’s mother died at the age of 102 at the Katsina Teaching Hospital after a brief illness. Reacting, Saraki commiserated with the Yar’adua family over the “incredible woman” passing.
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Source: Legit.ng
