I was at the World Cup draws in Cape Town, South Africa. It was a very memorable event for several reasons. It was the first in Africa and the rest of world, all sceptics of Africa’s ability to organize the biggest and the greatest show on earth, could not wait to see how the curtains would be raised! It turned out to be a spectacular show unsurpassed by none in World Cup history. The event was so tightly packaged that it came and went in a flash of absolute brilliance that left mouths agape and memories that will linger for a long time to come. One thing, however, stood out above everything else for me at the event. I want to assume that most readers of this column must be amongst the over 200 million viewers worldwide that sat through the two hours of that great show. They must have seen and experienced what I am about to recapture here.

The event had been scattered with magic dust in a kaleidoscope of colour and culture. All had been mesmerised in that packed hall and in millions of homes all over the world. The tall, slim and beautiful compere of the night had been smooth, velvety, flawless and professional as she took the audience through an unforgettable journey of African dance, music and refreshing conversation on the stage she totally dominated and made her own with her presence, style and articulate delivery. She made me proud of African womanhood, deftly directing the program, economising words and managing time as the minutes raced along in breathtaking ecstasy. Then my moment came. She had just finished her short conversation right on the stage with Joseph Zuma, the President of South Africa, and Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA. Both gentlemen had answered the few questions that were asked them. Zuma reeled off the challenges his country had faced, what the world should expect when the championships start and the benefits that would come South Africa’s way. Blatter had spoken about how his backing of Africa as hosts has been justified by South Africa’s impressive performance so far, ready already to host the world six months ahead of schedule and would also probably put up the greatest World Cup in the history of the championship. The compere now introduced and invited the president of the Italian football federation to come to the stage with the World Cup trophy that had been in his country’s custody since winning it 4 years ago in Germany.

As the president was walking up to the set to join the trio of Blatter, Zuma and the compere, Sepp Blatter did the most unexpected thing. He halted proceedings and announced to everyone’s consternation that he had something to say before the presentation was made. This was obviously not a part of the script and everyone could see. But no one stops the FIFA president when he has something to say.

He wanted to talk about the legacy of the 2010 World Cup coming to the continent of Africa for the first time. The legacy is to use the World Cup to promote the right of every child in the world to have access to education. There is an estimated 75 million children in the world (the vast majority of them in Africa, and the largest concentration of them in Nigeria) that should be but are not in school. He spoke of a global campaign, fully embraced by FIFA, that seeks to draw the attention of the world to the issue, FIFA is partnering with ‘1 Goal - Education for All’ campaign, established by Princess Rainer of Jordan and endorsed by several world leaders whose names he read out, to drive the campaign. The world, he said, is obligated to its children, to provide them with the opportunity of education. In short illiteracy must be eradicated in the world by 2015. Right on the stage he lifted Zuma’s hand and invited him to be a champion also of the legacy the championship will bequeath the world – education! There could not have been a bigger and better endorsement of what has now become my greatest cause in life – the education of our youths. It was a major point in my entire life – to see one the most powerful men in the world, without any solicitation, without been prompted, to stand up and sell the agenda of the combination of football and education to over 200 million people watching the event worldwide!

It was simply out of this world, mind-boggling, unbelievable! My mind was racing. FIFA had never been known to be an advocate of education and football in combination. Yet here was the body taking the issue seriously enough to publicly acknowledge it and make it the legacy of the 2010 World Cup!! It was delightful music to my ears. It was an opportunity that Africa, in general, and Nigeria, in particular, must seize with both hands. Between 10 and 25 million Nigeria children are languishing in poverty and illiteracy and FIFA has heard their anguished voices and is responding.