By Dipo Olowookere
A five-year deal worth N2.5 billion has been signed by a top Nigerian oil and gas company, Aiteo Group, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The deal was sealed on Wednesday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
President of the NFF, Mr Amaju Pinnick, speaking on the development, stated that, “This is a heart-warming landmark in the history of football sponsorship in Nigeria.”
“I am very happy that a critical area of our expenditure is being taken care of by this agreement,” he further enthused.
It was gathered that the deal would take effect from May 1, 2017, with initial option of one-year extension.
Commenting also on the development, Aiteo’s Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Ndiana-Abasi Matthew, disclosed that, “Aiteo Group’s overarching social responsibility objectives are to encourage positive impact through our activities on the society at large.”
He described football as what “brings joy to the lives of Nigerians.”
According to him, “Each moment celebrated by families in their living rooms, over a goal scored or friends catching up on highlights of a well–taken free–kick by their local heroes, leaves indelible mark with memories for a life time.”
Also present at the event yesterday were Aiteo’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr Francis Peters; NFF 1st Vice-President, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi; NFF 2nd Vice-President, Mr Shehu Dikko; MD of Nembe Creek Trunk Line, Mr Tunde Akinpelu; MD, Financial Derivaties, Mr Bismark Rewane; and others.
Modupe Gbadeyanka