Chairman of Enyimba, Nwankwo Kanu, has said the club is poised to break new grounds in national and continental competitions with support from well meaning Nigerians.
Speaking in Enugu shortly after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with United Nigeria Airlines, Kanu stated that such a boost was also required to take the nation’s football league to an enviable standard.
United Nigeria Airlines reached an agreement of N100m worth of sponsorship with Enyimba during a colourful ceremony held in Enugu.
Kanu, a former captain of the Nigerian national team and one-time player of English Premier League giants Arsenal, while commending United Nigeria Airlines for the collaboration, praised the company for its interest in the Nigerian football league.
“Today is a special day because in 24 years before I came in as Chairman, we haven’t had such support. So from the club, it’s supporters, the entire people of Abia state, we appreciate this gesture,” said Kanu, a two-time former winner of the CAF African Player of the Year award.
“This is the start and we are not taking it for granted. The Nigerian league, not just Enyimba, needs this kind of support. United Nigeria Airlines is to unite everybody and football is one of the biggest factor that unites Nigerians.
“United Nigeria Airlines have come in and we expect other philanthropists to emulate the United Nigeria Airlines.
“Coming to Enyimba, things are beginning to improve and getting better. It is not going to be easy for us but with such agreement in place, Enyimba would be on top,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the founder and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, recalled with nostalgia how he had been following the football career of Kanu for a considerable time.
Okonkwo went down memory lane on how Kanu, fondly called ‘Papilo” by his fans, made him and other Nigerians proud by lifting the Olympic gold medal in 1996.
“As a proud supporter of the Aba-based football club, the rebranding efforts have soared to a new heights with this collaboration,” he said.
“It’s a relationship we expect to grow bigger and better with time. So this is the starting point and I hope they will benefit from it through air travels and other areas we may commonly agree that would be of their need and it is for an initial two-year period
“Football is a factor that unites the Nigerian people regardless of tribe, state of origin. So in our Corporate Social Responsibility, we see that as an important thing that we should identify with
“It is a significant honour for United Nigeria Airlines to become the official kit sponsor of Enyimba Football Club based in Aba, Abia State,” he said.
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