Former Super Eagles players, Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu Kwankwo on Saturday led some ex-internationals to visit Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja to celebrate his 70th birthday.
The former players included former Eagles’ goalkeepers — Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Dosu Joseph, Taribo West and Uche Okechukwu, Obafemi Martins, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba and Mutiu Adepoju.
Lauding Tinubu particularly for his achievements in Lagos, Okocha said the former Lagos governor is the reason he usually calls Lagos home.
Nwankwo, who instituted the Kanu Heart Foundation, disclosed that the first seed money for that initiative was donated by Tinubu in 2002.
“Without that money, there wouldn’t have been Kanu Foundation to perform the heart surgeries that have saved many lives,” he said.
Pastor Taribo West prayed that Nigeria be blessed with more kind-hearted people like Asiwaju while wishing him well in the presidential race.
Tinubu uploaded the photos of the visit on his Instagram and Twitter pages.
The former Governor of Lagos said: “The beautiful game of football is one sport that unites Nigerians of all walks of life – regardless of their age, status, tribe or religion.
“Today, I was privileged to receive some former players of our National Football team, the Super Eagles led by the prodigious Jay-Jay Okocha and highly decorated Kanu Nwankwo.
“I thanked them for their service to country and they shared with me, their plans towards the novelty football match being organised to celebrate my birthday in a few days.
“We also spoke extensively about Nigeria’s upcoming qualifiers for the World Cup at Qatar.
“Together, we will soar like eagles. That’s my prayer for Nigeria.”
