Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Total E&P Nigeria Limited has extended its sponsorship of N150 million to the Male National Divisions 1 and 2 Leagues of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) till the 2025 season.
This was done at the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations recently at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Total E & P Nigeria Limited, Mr Mike Sangster, stated: “Total has resolved to build on the productive relationship with NBBF, which began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018.
“Today, we commit to a renewal of that sponsorship agreement. In financial terms, the MoU involves an annual sum of N30 million over the next five years.”
He further said: “The growth trajectory of Nigerian basketball since the initial agreement was signed two years ago, has proved to us that our decision to identify with the body was not misplaced.”
Mr Sangster further appreciated the NNPC and Total’s other partners for their support. “Let me personally thank the NNPC/NAPIMS and our OML 130 partners without whose support this event would not have been possible.”
On the part of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, who attended the signing ceremony, commended Total for the sponsorship.
“I want to sincerely thank the management of Total E&P Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the National Divisions 1- & 2-Men’s basketball Leagues which indicates a clear commitment to the development of the sport of basketball in Nigeria.
“It is, therefore, with great pleasure and a sense of fulfilment that I am here at the signing of this MoU. For me, this is a transformational moment,” the Minister declared.
In his speech, the president of the NBBF, Mr Ahmadu- Kida Musa said, “On behalf of the Board of the NBBF, I want to thank the management and the Managing Director of Total E&P Nigeria Ltd. Mr Mike Sangster for the vote of confidence reposed in the NBBF by extending the sponsorship of the divisions 1 & 2 Leagues for another five years.
“This gesture underscores the commitment of the company to develop Nigerian youths just like the honourable minister has said. Beside the sponsorships, Total E&P has also uplifted basketball. For example, in addition to financial and related supports to the NBBF, Total was the first corporate body to receive the victorious male and female national teams when they dazzled Africa in the Afrobasket tournament in 2017.”
“In the same vein, Total contributed immensely to ensuring Nigeria’s D’Tigers were the first to qualify for the 2019 China FIBA World Cup.”
The NBBF President continued, “When the history of NBBF is written when the history of the Nigeria corporate sports sponsorship is written, the name of Total E&P Nigeria Limited will no doubt be written in gold. Nigeria basketball community will always remember you because you have always been there for us.”
It would be recalled that on April 26, 2018, Total signed a N60 million sponsorship deal for the men’s NBBF National Divisions 1 & 2 leagues, signalling a unique breakthrough in Nigeria’s basketball history. The deal covered the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
