Nigerian Football
ValueJet adds value to Super Eagles’ flights
On the sidelines of the Women’s U17 World Cup qualifiers between Nigeria and South Africa in Ikenne on Saturday, the Nigeria Football Federation signed a five-year sponsorship deal with ValueJet.
Consequently, ValueJet is now the official airline of the Super Eagles and the other Nigeria national football teams.
ValueJet MD, Capt. Majekodunmi (second from right) exchanges the contract document with Inuwa (second from left) while Dr Sanusi (left) and Trevor Henry, ValueJet Head of Commercials (right) watch.
The airline had in the past ferried the Nigeria national teams to various destinations, starting with Nigeria’s away World Cup qualifying team with Zimbabwe in Kigali in November 2023.
Sports Village Square gathered that the contract is worth N100 million per year in liquid and another N100 million in tangible.
The agreement, which was sealed at a signing ceremony attended by top officials of both organizations, marks a significant milestone for the airline, which has built a reputation for punctuality and effectiveness.
NFF Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, highlighted the synergy between ValueJet’s operational philosophy and football’s strict adherence to kick-off times.
“It’s on record that ValueJet is a trusted airline concerning time and effectiveness, and as you know, football respects kick-off times too. We are happy to be signing this deal,” he stated.
With this partnership, ValueJet becomes an official sponsor of the NFF, further boosting support for Nigerian football at various levels.
The airline’s involvement is expected to enhance travel logistics for national teams, ensuring smooth movement for players, officials, and stakeholders during international and domestic assignments.
The partnership underscores ValueJet’s growing influence in the aviation and sports sectors, reinforcing its position as a trusted brand in Nigeria.
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The chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko has poured encomiums on strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited for their effort at repositioning Nigerian football.
He made the remark during the presentation of Newstap/SWAN 5-star award to the GMD of GTI Group, Abubakar Lawal, alongside four other recipients in Lagos.
The well-attended event, which attracted a lot of stakeholders of the Nigerian football family, was jointly organised by Newstap Communications Limited and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
In his opening speech, Dikko revealed how he and other football administrators ensured GTI’s remarkable entry into the Nigerian sports ecosystem, and since then, our country’s football has witnessed a positive trajectory.
“I appreciate the organisers of Newstap/SWAN award for a successful execution of the maiden edition of this award and thank GTI Group for their effort so far in repositioning our beautiful game,” Dikko began.
“I made serious effort to ensure that I’m present at this event today and I thank God that I succeeded. When I eventually came here and saw the team from GTI, I was overwhelmed with joy, such that I didn’t know how to start thanking them for their accomplishments with the NPFL and President Federation Cup.
“I want to commend GTI for taking a big risk in trying to reposition our elite league and today the result speaks for itself.
“I and Seyi Akinwumi were part of the team that started the process of bringing GTI into our football ecosystem and we are glad with their achievements so far with our football. Frankly, GTI has surpassed our expectations and I pray they recoup all their investments at the end of the day.”
The other four recipients of the Newstap/SWAN Awards include Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia; Benue State FA Chairman, Paul Edeh; Chairman of Valuejet Airlines, Kunle Soname and Founder Monimichelle Construction Limited, Ebi Egbe.
In his final remark at the occasion, National President of SWAN, Isaiah Benjamin urged the five awardees never to rest on their oars in contributing their quota to the development of sports generally in the country.
He further revealed that preparations are in top gear for the 60th Diamond Jubilee celebration of SWAN and affirmed that the event will be held later this year.
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Just as Nigeria’s manager, Eric Chelle has named Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars in his 39-man provisional squad, his Benin Republic counterpart, Gernot Rohr has also named Remo Stars goalkeeper, Adebiyi Serges Obassa in his 25-man squad ahead of the Matchday 5 of the World Cup qualifiers in Africa.
If Bankole makes the final Super Eagles’ squad, Remo Stars may be without a goalkeeper in their Match Day 30 duel away to Lobi Stars.
League front-runners Remo Stars will face Lobi Stars on 23 March, the same period as the World Cup qualifiers, in which both Nigeria and Benin have two matches.
While Nigeria will be away to Rwanda on March 21, Benin will be away to Zimbabwe in South Africa.
Two days later, Nigeria will be hosting Zimbabwe while Benin Republic, with Remo Stars’ first choice goalkeeper, will be at home in Cote d’Ivoire to South Africa.
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Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) leaders, Remo Stars had their two-digit lead of 11 points cut to eight after suffering a 2-1 loss to Bendel Insurance while their closest rivals, Rivers United won 1-0 against Niger Tornadoes.
Their match with Bendel Insurance was hardly two minutes old when Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi put the home side ahead.
He doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half to set dreadful problems for the league leaders. But eight minutes to the end of regulation time, Arinze Anakwe reduced the tally for Remo Stars.
Thus, Remo Stars, which had nearly a seven-match unbeaten run, now have just two wins in their last five matches, alternating wins and losses.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers United laboured to a 1-0 win over Niger Tornados. Great thanks to the 83rd minute goal by Samson Bossa Obi.
The goal not only enables Rivers United to retain the second position, it increased gulf with continental aspirants, Shooting Stars who lost their away match 1-0 to Katsina United on Friday.
Following Ikorodu City’s away win at Lobi Stars, Shooting Stars have been pushed to the fourth position by an emerging continental aspirant, Ikorodu City who are now third.
RESULTS
Friday
- Katsina United 1-0 Shooting Stars
Saturday
- Lobi Stars 0-1 Ikorodu City
- Bendel Insurance 2-1 Remo Stars
- Rivers United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Sunday Fixtures
- Plateau United v Abia Warriors
- Enugu Rangers v Akwa United
- Enyimba v El Kanemi
- Kwara United v Kano Pillars
- Nasarawa v Sunshine Stars
- Heartland v Bayelsa United
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