Ibom Air and Akwa United Football Club on Thursday, 23 October, signed a N200million partnership deal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa United FC is the 2021 Nigeria Premier Soccer League Champion and two-time FA Cup winners, whereas Ibom Air is a business airline owned by the Akwa Ibom State authorities.
The partnership, described as a major milestone for sports activities and personal sector collaboration in Akwa Ibom, was signed on the Godswill Akpabio Worldwide Stadium, Uyo, with Ibom Air unveiled because the official shirt sponsor of Akwa United FC.
The sponsorship deal, valued at N200 million for an preliminary two-year time period, contains each money and in-kind contributions, with 50 per cent of the whole worth supplied in form.
The signing ceremony and press briefing attracted key stakeholders from the sports activities neighborhood, authorities officers, and media representatives.
Talking on the occasion, George Uriesi, CEO of Ibom Air, described the partnership as a mirrored image of the airline’s dedication to supporting the state via impactful community-focused initiatives.
“At Ibom Air, our core pillars of assist are Well being, Group Growth, Schooling, and Sports activities. And what higher time than now to spend money on sports activities? Akwa United, a membership with a proud championship historical past, is presently rebuilding. Our purpose is to assist their resurgence, to assist them rise once more, again to the highest of the league and past,” Mr Uriesi mentioned.
Mr Uriesi emphasised that the partnership demonstrates Ibom Air’s perception within the unifying energy of sports activities to encourage youth and foster state pleasure.
Joseph Eno, the chairman of Akwa United FC, expressed appreciation to Ibom Air for its “well timed” assist.
“This partnership comes at an important second as we rebuild and work to return to our greatest kind. The backing from Ibom Air is each strategic and well timed. It would increase the morale of our gamers and technical workforce. Sporting the emblem of such a good model reminds us that we characterize excellence, and we should ship on the highest degree.”
‘I’m delighted to witness this partnership lastly grow to be actuality’
In his remarks, Paul Bassey, the commissioner for sports activities, counseled the collaboration as a fulfilment of the state’s long-term imaginative and prescient for sports activities improvement.
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“I’m delighted to witness this partnership lastly grow to be actuality. I’ve at all times envisioned a day when Ibom Air and Akwa United would come collectively in true partnership. This aligns completely with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, which promotes personal sector involvement in sports activities.
“With this partnership, we’re not solely supporting our membership but in addition laying the muse for native sports activities to compete with world requirements. I’m assured this collaboration will convey nice success to each Akwa United and Ibom Air”.
The ceremony additionally featured the revealing of Akwa United’s new jersey, the inauguration of key working committees, and interactive periods with the media.
