Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called for deeper collaboration with Guinness Nigeria PLC to enhance sports development in the state, describing Enugu as a land rich in sporting history and future talent.
He made the appeal on Friday when a delegation from Guinness Nigeria presented the English Premier League (EPL) trophy to him at the Government House in Enugu.
The presentation was part of a tour facilitated through a partnership between Guinness Nigeria and the Premier League, aimed at bringing the iconic silverware closer to Nigerian fans.
Enugu was the first stop, with Lagos scheduled to follow over the weekend.
Addressing the Guinness team and guests at the Lion Building, Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s commitment to using sports as a tool for youth engagement and unity.
“Like Guinness, we regard sports as a positive force in Enugu. We are not surprised that the Guinness flagship event is being held here in Enugu. Just like Guinness, we also see sports as a platform to foster social cohesion. We are not just paying lip service to sports; we actually have our skin in the game,” the governor said.
Highlighting the state’s current efforts, Mbah revealed that massive rehabilitation work was ongoing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village in preparation for the 2026 National Sports Festival.
“We believe that the EPL is quite a spectacle with audiences across the world and you couldn’t have chosen a better city for the flagship event than Enugu.
“Again, since here is the home of Rangers and since we have also recognised that this is where it all happens, let us begin to think about more collaboration with Guinness to see how we can secure endorsement with the Guinness corporate brand.”
“This should be on the table because Rangers also won the 2023/2024 Nigerian Premier League title.
“We are just about giving the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village a new lease of life, making sure they meet FIFA and World Athletics standards ahead of the National Sports Festival.”
“So, we look forward to more strategic collaboration with Guinness. We are quite a business-friendly state,” Mbah emphasized.
In his remarks, the Corporate Relations Director of Guinness Nigeria, Rotimi Odusola, explained the rationale for selecting Enugu as the first city for the EPL trophy showcase, praising the governor’s efforts and the state’s deep-rooted football culture.
“Some may wonder why Enugu. There is a reason for us to choose Enugu as the first place in Nigeria since this trophy arrived yesterday.”
“It is because we know that Enugu State is the spiritual home of football in Nigeria. As a young football lover, I can’t forget all of the stories around Enugu Rangers football team,” Odusola stated.
He went on to commend the transformation witnessed in the state since his last visit in 2022.
“I want to also appreciate you for the work you are doing. The last time I was in Enugu was in 2022 and I have seen remarkable improvements in Enugu State since my last visit.
“This presentation of the EPL trophy is an opportunity for us to reinforce Guinness Nigeria being a business that has been intricate in the fabric of Nigeria for 75 years.”
“We also want to use this opportunity to create magical moments for our consumers and members of the public through the collaboration between Guinness globally and the English Premier League,” he added.
The event drew the presence of key state officials and sports stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; Director of Marketing and Innovations at Guinness Nigeria, Yinka Bakare; Head of Marketing, Ramanathan Sollayepan; Head of Division for South-East Region, Adesoji Opeyemi; General Manager of Rangers International FC, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku; and the Chairman of Enugu State Football Association, Barr. Tony Ugwu.
