Reiterates Commitment to Sports, Youth Development
- Safiu Kehinde
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has wooed English Premier League clubs to visit the state for summer friendly matches.
The governor made the plea on Sunday while receiving the Premier League Trophy.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.
According to the statement, the trophy was officially presented to Sanwo-Olu by the Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr Girish Sharma, at the Lagos House, Marina.
Speaking during the ceremony, the governor expressed his delight with Guiness’ commitment to Nigeria, especially in the area of sports.
“We are indeed happy with what the brand (Guinness Nigeria PLC) has done, especially in sports and other socially responsible areas of endeavours.
“We are indeed happy and excited that it is one of those companies and brands that stayed in Lagos and has grown out of Lagos to other parts of the country and other parts of West Africa. So we are happy that we continue to make Lagos home to it.” The Governor said.
He however urged the company to work towards bringing some of the Premier League’s club to play in Lagos during their summer break.
The governor assured Guiness of making Lagos more hospitable and habitable for businesses and corporate organisations to thrive.
“One of the things that I am going to throw back to you is to see how some of the teams, during their summer break, can come around for two or three days. We don’t bite people, we don’t eat people, we are just fans. We just want to hug them and take a selfie with them.
“We want the teams to come and see millions of their fans and identify with the country and the state.
“We want to assure you that we will continue to make Lagos hospitable and habitable for businesses to do well and thrive.
“We will continue to make the environment worthwhile for every corporate organisation, because we know that it is by doing that that we can develop the economy, we can grow, and people can see a better life for one another.” He said.
The governor noted that bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos served as an indication of positivity in followership and development of sports in Nigeria, especially Lagos.
“There is something positive about our followership, enthusiasm, and the development of sports in our country, but more importantly in Lagos.”
“We are excited that Guinness identifies with us by bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos. It is a trophy that everybody believes is inspirational. It is about using sports as a change agent. It is about using sports as a way of connecting to the youth demographic that we have.
“It is about using sports as a weapon to be able to identify the skills, capacity and capability of our young people. It is about using sports as a strong connection to be socially responsible citizens and individuals and to use it as a means of engagement.” He said
Sanwo-Olu reiterated administration will continue to make Lagos hospitable and habitable for businesses to thrive.
The governor pledged to continue using sports as a means of engagement, social inclusion and change agent.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr. Girish Sharma, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team for the good things they are doing in Lagos State.
Sharma, who disclosed that Guinness Nigeria is 75 years old, restated his organisation’s commitment to Lagos State.
He said bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos will give football fans across the State the opportunity to pose with the trophy is a great feat.
“I am very pleased to be here today to present the Premier League Trophy to football fans and give them the opportunity to stand next to the trophy.
“We make sure the trophy comes to Nigeria because this is one of the largest sporting nations.
“So, there is no way this trophy cannot be presented to the Nigerians for them to feel it,” he said.
Sharma said his organisation is honoured to be part of Nigeria, noting that the establishment of Guinness in Nigeria show how important is the country and therefore urged Nigerians to believe in Nigeria’s potential as a country.