Sports Minister Wants Mikel’s Dad Released

Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman , Sports Minister

Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission(NSC) , Alhaji Yusuf Suleman, weekend in Benin  City,  appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of the father of Nigerian international, Mikel Obi.(the government's work is to protect people not to make appeals)

Suleman made the appeal while addressing journalists at the Etete camp site of the Nigerian boxing team to the All African Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

“I felt sad and troubled at the news of the abduction because of the bad and negative press it is giving us as a nation at the international stage. I have already reached out to Mikel in London to assure him that the government and the good people of Nigeria are with him at this moment and that the situation should not affect his play.

  “I sent him an SMS to that effect when I could not speak with him on phone. Obviously this act is not good for the image of Nigeria and Africa and I appeal to those responsible for this act to immediately release the man unconditionally,’’ Suleman said.

The minister who was received by the Edo State Commissioner for Sports, Miss Anita Evbomwan,  had earlier assured the Nigerian boxing contingent of the government’s support  and urged the athletes to be good sports ambassadors in Maputo.

He said government was appreciative of their sacrifice to have left their loved ones for more than two months to camp in Benin preparatory to the games.