Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday received the Premier League Trophy, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to using sports as a tool for youth engagement, social inclusion, and positive transformation.
The trophy was formally presented to the governor at the Lagos House, Marina, by the Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr. Girish Sharma.
While addressing the audience, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the arrival of the Premier League Trophy in Lagos symbolizes the vibrant sports culture in the state and reflects Nigeria’s growing enthusiasm for global sporting events.
“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,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also appreciated Guinness Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to the state and called on international football clubs to consider engaging with their Lagos fan base during summer breaks. He added that Lagos remains safe and welcoming for visitors and businesses alike.
Earlier in the day, during a courtesy visit, Sharma lauded the Sanwo-Olu administration for its achievements and reaffirmed Guinness Nigeria’s dedication to supporting Lagos State.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Sharma noted, “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 also emphasized the company’s belief in Nigeria’s potential, celebrating its 75-year presence in the country and continued partnership with Lagos.
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