July 12 2009

UN Special Adviser to the Secretary General visits SOS Children's Village in Nigeria

12/07/2009 - The SOS Children's Village Gwagwalada was honoured to receive the visit of the UN Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Sports for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke.

 

Photo: SOS Archives
The former manager of German football club Werder Bremen greeting the village's football team - Photo: SOS Archives

Mr. Lemke had been attending the 13th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees in Africa (ANOCA) in Abuja, Nigeria and had met with the President of Nigeria Mr. Umaru Musa Yar’adua as well as representatives of the National Olympic Committees of Africa on sports federation and civil society. On 7 July, he seized the opportunity to visit the SOS Children’s Village Gwagwalada, Nigeria.


The children of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Kindergarten and Primary School Gwagwalada joyfully welcomed Mr. Lemke with the Nigerian National Anthem, the SOS prayer and sporting activities such as a traditional dance, a novelty football match and other athletic games.Mr. Lemke toured the village facilities and signed the visitors register commending SOS Children's Villages on its “wonderful work”.


Mr. Lemke is responsible for heading the efforts of the UN system in promoting understanding and support for sport as an instrument for development and peace as well as encouraging dialogue, collaboration and partnership.