BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
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Kanu Nwankwo led Enyimba Football Club, Aba, Abia State on yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nigeria Airlines.
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The United Nigeria Airlines reached an agreement of100m worth sponsorship with the famous Enyimba Club during a colourful ceremony held at 2A Gardens Avenue, Enugu.
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Speaking at the occasion, Founder/Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo recalled with nostalgia how he had been following the football career of Kanu Nwankwo, Chairman of the Enyimba for a considerable time.
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Okonkwo went down memory lane on how Kanu Nwankwo fondly called ‘Papilo” by his fans, made him and other Nigerians proud by lifting the Olympic gold medal in 1996.
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“As a proud supporter of the Aba-based football club, the rebranding efforts have soared to a new heights with this collaboration
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“It’s a relationship we expect to grow bigger and better with time. So this is the starting point and i hope they will benefit from it through air travels and other areas we may commonly agree that would be of their need and it is an initial two year period
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“Football is a factor that unites the Nigerian people regardless of tribe, state of origin. So in our Corporate Social Responsibility, we see that as an important thing that we should identify with
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“It is a significant honour for United Nigeria Airlines to become the official kit sponsor of Enyimba Football Club based in Aba, Abia State”, he said.
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Responding, the Chairman of Enyimba football club of Aba and former Super Eagles Skipper, Kanu Nwankwo, commended the United Nigeria Airlines for the collaboration, adding that United Nigeria Airlines had been his favourite.
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“Today is a special day because in 24 years before I came in as Chairman, we haven’t had such support. So from the club, it’s supporters, the entire people of Abia state, we appreciate this gesture
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“This is the start and we are not taking it for granted. The Nigeria league not just Enyimba needs this kind of support. United Nigeria Airlines is to unite everybody and football is one of the biggest factor that unites Nigerians”. Kanu said.
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The football legend however, condemned the attack on Sunshine football club saying…” The attack is not something to write home about.
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“United Nigeria Airlines have come in and we expect other philanthropists to emulate the United Nigeria Airlines.
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“Coming to Enyimba, things are beginning to improve and getting better. It is not going to be easy for us but with such agreement in place, Enyimba would be on top”, he said.
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The high point of the event was the unveiling of the sports shirt with inscription of ’01’ ‘Kanu’, ‘4’, a development that attracted ovation from the audience.
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United Nigeria Airlines has its headquarters in Enugu.
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