By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A deal to further develop football in Nigeria has been sealed between Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
The agreement will enable Stanbic IBTC to provide Group Life Insurance for all 35 players of the national team with a total sum assured of N1.75 billion and total personal accident insurance for all 35 players with a total of N583 million annually for the next 3 years.
It was also gathered that Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, will also provide gender sensitivity support for female sports correspondents in Nigeria.
“Today, you are all witnesses to a landmark event: the consummation of a partnership geared towards driving the growth of football in Nigeria.
“We are all gathered here to grace this momentous occasion as two great Nigerian institutions come together to advance Nigeria’s most popular sport. With this partnership, we will further drive the development of the youths via football,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr Demola Sogunle, stated.
According to Mr Sogunle, the partnership was based on youth empowerment and football development which he described as values shared by Stanbic IBTC and the NFF.
He added that, “This is a great day for football development in Nigeria, and we believe this partnership will boost the growth of this beautiful round leather game in the country.
“Over the years, various Nigerian football teams have made their marks in various international competitions. We believe the Nigerian football teams will only get better and will dominate the beautiful game in the future.
“Yes, IT CAN BE, as we like to say in Stanbic IBTC, knowing that everything is possible, as long as we put our hearts to it.”
Mr Sogunle further acknowledged the NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, in the development of football in Nigeria and the African continent.
He congratulated him on his election into FIFA’s Executive Council and asserted that Nigeria would gain a lot from his membership of football’s highest decision-making organ.
On the partnership with Stanbic IBTC, Mr Pinnick said: “This has been a historic and one of the most unique sports contracts we have had in a long while and we are excited that Stanbic IBTC is driving not just a partnership with the NFF but a sponsorship that also encourages the advancement of the female gender.”
On his part, the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mr Bukola Olopade, consultant to the partnership said, “This agreement is the most unique we have signed so far because it directly benefits the players and also contributes to the advancement of the girl child.”
Modupe Gbadeyanka