Tony Abu
President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, on Monday commended Chairman of Premier Lotto Ltd., Kesington Adebutu, over the renovation of the National Stadium, Lagos and contribution to sports development in Nigeria.
The commendation came on the heels of a four-year partnerships between NFF and the gaming company as the Official Gaming Partner of the National Teams.
Amaju Pinnick who spoke at Eko Hotel on the partnership said that the relationship was borne out of at the generosity and philanthropy of the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Premier Lotto which was renowned globally.
“The NFF and the entire Nigeria Football family is grateful to you for the work you are doing to remodel and upgrade our beloved National Stadium, Lagos.
“I also remember acts of generosity from you to the various National Teams, particularly the Super Eagles.
” You are a great and wonderful man and we pray that you spend many, many more years in good health and in joy,” he said.
The NFF president said that the partnership with Premier Lotto and other cooperate bodies was aimed at ensuring financial autonomy for the federation.
“Today’s event makes me happy because it takes us even closer to the financial autonomy that we so much desire, so that we can remove entirely the burden of funding the National Teams from the government.
Adebutu had in 2019 bankrolled the renovation of the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, which is almost at completion stage.
“Premier Lotto is a company with high integrity and we are happy to have this relationship with Chief Adebutu and the company,” he said.
In his remark, Adebutu said Premier Lotto felt a sense of fulfillment to finally have a relationship with NFF and the National Teams.
He commended Pinnick led board of NFF for the growth and development of football in Nigeria.
The partnership agreement is for initial four years.
Present at the signing were Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President, NFF; Adebisi Adebutu, Executive Director, Operations, Premier Lotto; Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, NFF and Ruth David, Director of Competitions, NFF.
Others were Okey Obi, Director Legal, NFF; Alizor Chuks, Head Marketing, NFF; Rajan Zaka, AD Finance, NFF; Kingsley Ozumba, Pamodzi Sports Marketing; as well as Messrs Ken Nwankwo and Oyelaran Noah from Premier Lotto. (NAN)