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From Magnus Eze, Enugu
United Nigeria Airline (UNA) and Nigeria Professional Football League side, Enyimba FC of Aba, Abia State, have sealed a two-year sponsorship deal.
The deal worth N100m in the first instance entails use of the airline’s branded T-shirts and other materials by the players, provision of airline transportation for the team among other needs.
At the agreement signing ceremony at the airline’s corporate head office in Enugu, on Friday, Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof Obiora Okonkwo said that he was attracted to Enyimba FC since the legendary Kanu Nwankwo became the Chairman of the club.
Okonkwo noted that his airline’s mantra which is ‘Flying to Unite’ is in line with what football does to Nigerian. According to him, the airline has seen football as a very important factor that unites Nigerians regardless of state, tribe or religion.
“Football is one things that if it’s played, you always place emotional attachment and it gives one joy and in our Corporate Social Responsibility, we see that as an important thing that we should identify with and we didn’t find anyone better than working with the King himself, Papilo (Kanu Nwankwo).
“The happiest moment in my life had to do with Super Eagles, that was the Atlanta 1996, unfortunately again the saddest moment in my life had to also to do with Super Eagles, that was USA 1994, the day we lost that match to Italy. But the 1996 Atlanta match, I’ve watched it over 50 times because it refreshes me, especially the semi final, because Kanu was at the centre of it.
“I’ll go with those players anywhere they want to go to. It may not be important to this occasion, but because of the joy of that era, no member of that team will pay for any service that I’m in charge because they have contributed much in the lives and joy of Nigerians.
“I congratulate Kanu for the appointment he has taken with Enyimba and I commend the Governor of Abia State for putting a round peg in a round hole. So, Kanu is the reason we are here, to talk about Enyimba and we stand by Enyimba. This is just the beginning of what we can do with them,” Okonkwo said.
In his remarks, Chairman of Enyimba FC and former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo expressed deep appreciation for the partnership with the United Nigeria Airline.
The Nigerian ex-international noted that the club had lost four matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, but the news of the airline’s sponsorship boosted the morale of the players.
Kanu stated that Enyimba and the league itself need partners such as the United Nigeeia Airline to unite Nigerians, noting that footballers travel a lot, in the present era of attacks on the road, but that the UNA has come to alleviate the situation with air travels.
“This is for lovers of Enyimba in Nigeria and all over the world,” Kanu said.
