Children from within Ajegunle area of Lagos and its environs could not hide their excitement on Friday when Nigerian-born Borussia Dortmund German star, Karim Adeyemi, visited their community to celebrate Christmas with them.
Adeyemi, who is one of the youngsters pushing the revival of the German national team, was in Lagos last week to see his family and meet with the beneficiaries of his foundation in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He was also in Ajegunle on the invitation of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, which has rebuilt the famous Maracana Stadium to a worldclass multi-field football facility.
At the Maracana, the German forward joined in a children’s Christmas party organised by the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation for the youths and their friends.
Speaking to the children, Adeyemi, who described the Maracana Stadium as an example of a community-based facility that can mould every young person to become a world beater, said: “I feel very proud to see that something like this is happening here and also, I am very happy to have one of the buildings in the facility alongside a beautiful pitch for the kids to play.
The plan is to look for the kids for a better future in football and, to know each other by having fun and playing football together.
Adeyemi promised through his foundation that he would continue to support Nigerian kids in their quest to play football at the highest level.
Borussia Dortmund’s Youth Academy Head Coach, Christian Dierch, who accompanied Adeyemi on the trip, said the Maracana Stadium would help the kids to hone their skills and learn other live lessons through sports. “We (Dortmund) especially feel proud that Adeyemi has his own foundation and willing to be responsible for Africa and to do good things- charitable work and this is something we would like to see as a club,” he said.
He reiterated that the team came to Nigeria to do some charity work “because we feel it is not only about football development, but making players better from technical aspects, especially, making them good human beings with the proper education and value and understanding.
Earlier, chairman of Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, Yemi Idowu, said Adeyemi’s presence would inspire most youngsters in the area to go for excellence.
He said: “What we are having today is the children’s Christmas party. So, we took the opportunity to welcome Adeyemi. Karim Adeyemi Foundation supported the construction of one of the hostels.
The kids showed a lot of enthusiasm, some of them are too young to understand what this is all about, but at least they will remember that when they were young, they came to a place like this.
“For the old ones, it is just a way to reinforce the spirit behind this place, which is where you can play with kids that come from all over the state of your own peer group.”
Also speaking on the event, Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Council, Fatai Ayoola, commended Adeyemi for the visit.
I am highly elated, happy, and honoured to have that kind of personality identifying with the poorest of the poor in the community. Ajegunle is one of the suburbs in Lagos but with abundant talents.
