Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enyimba Football Club of Aba, on Friday, signed an initial N100m agreement with the United Nigeria Airline for sponsorship of the club-side.
The sponsorship agreement is within two years period of relationship and activities.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Enugu, the Chairman of the Enyimba FC, Nwankwo Kanu, popularly known as Papilo, expressed his joy over the sponsorship of United Nigeria Airline.
Kanu applauded the Chairman of the Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, for appreciating the sacrifice his team (Enyimba FC) had done for the country by making the country proud internationally.
“Today is a special day, Enyimba FC is 24 years-old. Before I came in as chairman, we have not had such. So from the people of Abia State, His Excellency, Gov. Alex Otti, the staff, the club and the league, we really appreciate the sponsorship.
“Enyimba Football Club, the League itself needs people and organisation of such.
“The United Nigeria Airline is to unite everybody and football is one of the biggest tools to unite Nigeria,” he said.
Kanu said that the United Nigeria Airline had come to help and they prayed and believed that other airlines could also help Nigeria football development.
“Coming to Enyimba FC, which is one of the biggest football clubs in Africa, this is to show that things are getting much better.
“It is not going to be easy for us but with what is happening today, Enyimba will still be Enyimba and be on top,” he assured.
Earlier, Okonkwo said that the mantra of the United Nigeria Airline was flying to unite Nigerians.
According to him, the airline is seeing football as an important factor that unites Nigeria people, regardless of their tribe, race and state, even where they are coming from.
“Soccer is one thing that when playing, you only support with emotional sentiment that gives you joy, so in our corporate social responsibility, we see that as an important thing we can identify with and we do not find anyone than working with Papilo,” he said.
He said that Kanu’s team had contributed so much in the lives and joy of Nigerians.
The chairman congratulated Kanu for the appointment he had taken with Enyimba, adding that it was going to take a lot of sacrifice from him.
“I hope the undersigned agreement will make your engagement easier and make you succeed,” he said.
He applauded Gov. Otti for appointing Kanu, commending him for putting a round peg into a round hole.
