Arsenal great facilitates multimillion naira deal between United Nigeria Airlines and Enyimba FC

The Nigeria Professional Football League champions have been the most successful club in the country since the turn of the millennium

United Nigeria Airlines and Enyimba FC of Aba, Abia State, have formalized a two-year sponsorship deal worth N100 million, Soccernet.ng reports.

The strategic deal was facilitated by former Super Eagles captain and Arsenal great, Nwankwo Kanu, who is now the Chairman of Enyimba International FC.

The agreement, solidified at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Enugu on Friday, outlines provisions for using the airline’s branded T-shirts and other materials by Enyimba FC players.

Additionally, the airline will cater to the team’s transportation needs and address other essential requirements.

Revealing his delight at making the deal happen, Kanu wrote on his official X account:

“KAN U believe this? Proud to help facilitate this partnership between Enyimba FC ⚽️ and United Nigeria Airlines. Thank you, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, for a great welcome in Enugu 🇳🇬 and we hope to do some good works together to improve the players and team transportation for football.”

KAN U believe this? Proud to help facilitate this partnership between Enyimba FC ⚽️ and United Nigeria Airlines.Thank you Prof Obiora Okonkwo for a great welcome in Enugu 🇳🇬 and we hope to do some good works together to improve the players and team transportation for football pic.twitter.com/Lk4VUDJ2r5

— Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) December 9, 2023

Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, expressed his attraction to Enyimba FC, citing the club’s affiliation with the legendary Kanu Nwankwo as a pivotal factor.

Okonkwo emphasised the alignment of the airline’s mantra, “Flying to Unite,” with the unifying impact of football in Nigeria.

He highlighted football as a powerful force transcending state, tribe, or religion, viewing it as a crucial element in the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

“Football is one thing that if it’s being played, you always place emotional attachment and it gives one joy, and in our Corporate Social Responsibility, we see that as an important thing that we should identify with and we didn’t find anyone better than working with the King himself, Papilo (Kanu Nwankwo).

“The happiest moment in my life had to do with Super Eagles, that was the Atlanta 1996.

“Unfortunately, again the saddest moment in my life had to also do with the Super Eagles, that was USA 1994, the day we lost that match to Italy. But the 1996 Atlanta match, I’ve watched it over 50 times because it refreshes me, especially the semi-final because Kanu was at the centre of it.

“I’ll go with those players anywhere they want to go to. It may not be important to this occasion, but because of the joy of that era, no member of that team will pay for any service that I’m in charge of because they have contributed much to the lives and joy of Nigerians.”

Enyimba are the reigning Nigeria Professional League champions after they were guided to the title by former Super Eagles and Ajax winger George Finidi.