From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo has attributed the company’s sponsorship deal with top Nigeria Professional Football League side, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, to his undying love for the club’s Chairman, Kanu Nwankwo.
Okonkwo spoke at the signing ceremony of a two-year sponsorship deal valued at N100m in the first instance, at the Enugu corporate head office of the airline, at the weekend.
He called the former Super Eagles captain “the King,” saying that Kanu and his colleagues of the nation’s victorious team to Atlanta ‘96 Olympic Games, had brought honour and glory to Nigeria, including joy to Nigerians.
Okonkwo recalled how Kanu and his colleagues made him have his happiest moment in life during the Olympic Games in USA as well as his worst moment also during their USA ‘94 World Cup loss against Italy.
Congratulating Kanu on his appointment as the Chairman of Enyimba, he commended the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for putting a round peg in a round whole.
Okonkwo, however, observed that the appointment will come with challenges and sacrifice but was quick to say that organisations like United Nigeria Arline are there to help make the job easy.
He noted that with Kanu, the airline was disposed to bringing more support to the People’s Elephant.
In fact, he said that he would stop at nothing in identifying with anything Kanu is involved in.
He said that United Nigeria Airline flies to unite Nigerians especially through football by flying Enyimba players and helping ease their stress.
“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 speech during the signing ceremony, Kanu expressed delight over the deal and that of Abia State governor, Otti, whom he said would have loved to be part of the epoch-making event being the first time Enyimba would have such experience.
The ex-international said: “United Nigeria Airlines has set the pace in uniting Nigerians with their services using the most uniting factor, football.
“I hope other airlines in the country can emulate this as it is very vital for the clubs and our league considering what has happened to Sunshine Stars FC and others recently.
“In Enyimba we are trying our best to change the narrative and this deal is very key to the way we are moving as the news has delighted the team especially propelling and motivating our players to give their best for ultimate result.”
Caption: Enyimba International of Aba chairman, Nwankwo Kanu handing over the club’s jersey to the Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, during the signing ceremony recently.