Gerard Izuora
The original FIFA World Cup, which will be handed over to the captain of the victorious team inside the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15, 2018 as prize for conquering the world at the 21st FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday.
The trophy, on a tour of 91 cities in 51 countries across six continents before the finals, will touch down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a chartered flight at 11am.
Officials have said the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung; Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola; President, Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick; NFF Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko; and NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, will have the first view of the trophy on the aircraft before it leaves the airport.
From the airport, the trophy will make its way to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel for a press conference.
The iconic prize of world football will then be on its way to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, where President Muhammadu Buhari will have a feel of the trophy and deliver a welcome remark, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dalung and other members of the Federal Executive Council will view the trophy as from 4pm.
Officials have confirmed that there will be a dinner at the Banquet Hall of the State House for invited guests.
And on Thursday, consumer viewing of the trophy is planned for the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The trophy and its accompanying team will then fly into Lagos on Friday morning, to be received by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and members of his cabinet, as well as Pinnick and Akinwunmi.
A dinner is planned for the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island the same evening, while there will be a consumer viewing of the coveted diadem at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday, before the trophy departs Nigerian shores in the evening of Saturday.
This is the fourth Global Tour by the FIFA World Cup Trophy, and the third time it would be visiting Nigeria.