Ibom Air, Akwa Ibom State – owned airline has signed a N200 million sponsorship deal with the state darling team, Akwa United Football Club (AUFC) of Uyo, for two sessions.
As part of the deal, Ibom Air would airlift Akwa United players to all away games in states that have airports, kit the team with newly designed jerseys for both home and away games and other facilities to lift the team’s spirit.
NATIONAL ECONOMY learnt the deal followed a marching order by the sports – loving governor Umo Eno, to football stakeholders in the state to ensure Akwa United, relegated from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) to the Nigerian National League (NNL), at the end of last season, returns to top flight football at the elite division.
The commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who spoke at the signing ceremony held at the conference hall of the Godswill Akpabio international stadium, Uyo, the state capital, applauded the collaboration and partnership as a fulfillment of a long term vision for sports development in the state.
“I am delighted to witness this partnership becoming a reality. I have always envisioned a day when Ibom Air and Akwa United would come together in partnership. This alligns perfectly with the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency , governor Umo Eno, which promotes private sector involvement in sports,” he enthused.
The chairman of Akwa United, Mr. Joseph Eno, lauded the feat by Ibom Air, saying the intervention was a timely morale- booster to lift the club back to the NPFL.
“This partnership comes at a crucial moment as we rebuild and work to return to our best form. The backing of Ibom Air is both strategic and timely; it will boost the morale of players and technical team. Wearing the logo of such a reputable brand reminds us that we represent excellence and we must deliver at the highest level,” he assured.
The Managing Director and CEO of Ibom Air, Mr George Uresi, who endorsed the deal on behalf of the firm, said the partnership was a reflection of the airline’s commitment to supporting the state through impactful community- focused initiatives.
“At Ibom Air, our core pillars of support are health, community development, education and sports,” he stated, adding that investing now in Akwa United was the right choice to make at a time like this.
“Akwa United, a club with a proud championship history, is currently rebuilding. Our goal is to support their resurgence, to help them rise again to the top of the league and beyond,” he stressed.
The Commissioner for Information, Rt Hon. Aniekan Umanah, applauded the partnership, noting that the new arrangement would galvanise the youths and promote sustainable sports and tourism development in the state as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda blueprint of governor Eno’s administration.
