Nigeria’s financial juggernaut, ZENITH Bank PLC has promised tremendous support for the new Nigeria Football Federation team, following a visit by the Federation’s top officials to appreciate the bank’s sponsorship of developmental programmes in football in particular and sports in general.
The bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Amangbo said during the visit to ZENITH’s headquarters in Lagos that his institution is proud of what the new NFF team has achieved so far, and charged them to remain focused.
“There is certainly a lot that we can do for Nigeria football. For instance, we should have a much better League. Personally, I want to sit down at a stadium during the weekend and watch a domestic League match. But there has to be a lot of changes to attract people back to the stadia as happened in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Your team has started very well by having an open mind to engage the best individuals and corporate bodies from everywhere to come and proffer solutions to what is on ground,” Amangbo, who displayed amazing deep knowledge of the Nigeria game, said.
The ZENITH bank boss, who attended the famous St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka as former Nigeria captains Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu and Samson Siasia, stated clearly that the positive changes being doggedly pursued by the new NFF team would not happen overnight.
“You are on the right path, with your attitude, determination and openness of mind. Once people see transparency, they will want to identify with you. Companies support sports in order to derive value. Football is big business and millions of people can be employed across the several value chains.”
Speaking earlier, NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick praised ZENITH Bank’s robust presence in the corporate social responsibility sector, noting the financial institution’s sponsorship of several football and basketball championships, and especially its immense contribution to the realization of the Delta State Football House, named after late ace administrator, Mr. Patrick Okpomo.
“We recognize ZENITH Bank as the financial melting pot of Nigeria’s economy. We deemed it appropriate to come and introduce our new team to you and to seek your support for our several programmes aimed at turning Nigeria football around for the better.”
Observing that the financial institution is known for quality service delivery and astute management that has seen to its rapid growth over the years, Pinnick canvassed for the bank’s support to enable the new Executive Committee take Nigeria football to the zenith.
“Our team is not only concerned with winning trophies, but to build a sustainable football culture nationwide. For instance, England does not have the best National Team but it certainly has the best football culture in the world. We want to consolidate on the achievements of past administrations by adding science to what we do. We have enlisted the support of several blue –chip and world class institutions, and we believe we can take Nigeria football to a height people don’t believe is possible.”
All the members of NFF Executive Committee were there, accompanied by the General Secretary and the Director of Marketing , while Amangbo’s reception team included Ebenezer Onyeagwu (Executive Director), Chioma Nkechiza (Head, Protocol Banking), Victor Adoji (Head, Corporate Communication), Wumi Ogunbiyi (Head, Power and Infrastructure), Michael Otu (Company Secretary), Joseph Osenwe (Chief Inspector) and Nnamdi Edekobi (Head, Oil & Gas).
