Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, Friday, received the English Premier League, EPL, trophy, showcased to him by the management team of the Guinness Nigeria PLC partners of Premier League , urging collaboration with Guinness to boost sports development in the state.
Speaking at the presentation of the trophy held at Government House, Enugu, Governor Mbah described Enugu state as a home of sporting legends, a city with a very reach history of producing sporting talents that have featured in sports in Nigeria and internationally.,”
“We regard sports as a positive force in Enugu. We are not surprised that the Guinness flagship event is being held here in Enugu. Just like Guinness, we also see sports as a platform to foster social cohesion. We are not just paying lip service to sports; we actually have our skin in the game, Gov Mbah said.
He disclosed that the state government had signed the Enugu state Sports Law to enable the state government dedicated fund to develop sports .l.
Governor Mbah added that the state has also embarked on reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village in preparation to the hosting of of the National Sports Festival in 2026..
“We believe that the English Premier League is quite a spectacle with audiences across the world and you couldn’t have chosen a better city for the flagship event than Enugu.
“Again, since here is the home of Rangers and since we have also recognised that this is where it all happens, let us begin to think about more collaboration with Guinness to see how we can secure endorsement with the Guinness corporate brand. This should be on the table because Rangers also won the 2023/2024 Nigerian Premier League title.
“We are just about giving the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village a new lease of life, making sure they meet FIFA and World Athletics standards ahead of the National Sports Festival. So, we look forward to more strategic collaboration with Guinness. We are quite a business-friendly state,” he stated.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Rotimi Odusola, described Enugu State as the” spiritual home of sports in Nigeria”
He commended Governor Mbah for the good works he had done in Enugu state, saying that it was only natural to choose Enugu for the display of the EPL trophy following it’s history.
“Some may wonder why Enugu. There is a reason for us to choose Enugu as the first place in Nigeria since this trophy arrived yesterday. It is because we know that Enugu State is the spiritual home of football in Nigeria. As a young football lover, I can’t forget all of the stories around Enugu Rangers football team.
“I want to also appreciate you for the work you are doing. The last time I was in Enugu was in 2022 and I have seen remarkable improvements in Enugu State since my last visit.
“This presentation of the EPL trophy is an opportunity for us to reinforce Guinness Nigeria being a business that has been intricate in the fabric of Nigeria for 75 years. We also want to use this opportunity to create magical moments for our consumers and members of the public through the collaboration between Guinness globally and the English Premier League,” he said.
It could be recalled that Guinness Nigeria PLC and the Premier League partnered to bring the iconic silverware for display in Enugu on Friday, May 16, Lagos on Saturday May 17 and Sunday, 18 to give EPL’s teeming fans in Nigeria the rare opportunity to experience the trophy.
Present at the event were the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria, Rotimi Odusola, Director, Marketing and Innovations, Guinness Nigeria, Yinka Bakare; ; Head of Marketing, Guinness Nigeria, Ramanathan Sollayepan; Head of Division, South-East Region, Guinness Nigeria, Adesoji Opeyemi; General Manager, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku; and the Chairman, Enugu State Football Association, Barr. Tony Ugwu, among others.
In an interview, the Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu disclosed that the “Enugu state Sports Development Funds are strategic areas to collaborate with Guinness.
On his part, the General Manager of Rangers International Football Club, Amobi Ezeakor spoke on partnership with Guinness, disclosing that ” there is an open conversation between Rangers and Guinness “.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama