Frontline energy conglomerate, Aiteo Group in partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recognised the greatest talents and legends of Nigerian football at a gala held on 19, February 2018 in Lagos.
A first of its kind, the event brought together the biggest names in Nigerian football as 15 awards were handed to deserving current and ex-players as well as officials who have popularised football in Nigeria.
The event was attended by key leaders from the global and continental football community. Among them were FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad as well as the entire leadership of the NFF.
Present at the event were key political figures including Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Delta state counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa. Also present were the majority leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as well as two former governors of Delta state, Emmanuel Uduaghan and James Ibori.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Managing Director of Aiteo Group, Francis Peters, said “Aiteo is an organisation that is committed to the vision of every African, particularly the youth. Our business principle is framed around encouraging and empowering the teeming youth population in Nigeria and Africa to realise its potentials whether in sport or any other chosen endeavour. This is the reason Aiteo, Africa’s leading energy solutions company, is investing in the game.”
Also speaking at the event, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said, “I was told that in Nigeria football is passion, but it is a lie because it is more than that. In Nigeria I was told that football is love, but it is a lie it is more than that. In Nigeria, football is life.”
This collaboration between Aiteo and NFF is the latest in a series of partnerships that have delivered superior quality of football in Nigeria. So far, Aiteo has paid the sum of $600,000 and N320 million to cover its contractual obligation of providing support to the technical crew of the Super Eagles for the whole of 2018, well beyond the World Cup.
Aiteo has also made an enormous contribution to supporting local football by sponsoring the Federation cup.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of the winners. The award for Player of the Year, male category, went to Victor Moses while Asisat Oshoala was named Player of the Year, in the female category.
The NFF Legends 11, a team of ex-footballers who have made an indelible mark on football in Nigeria, was also unveiled. Ann Chiejine, Austin Eguavoen, Okechukwu Uche, Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Nwakwo Kanu, Felix Owolabi, Thompson Usiyen, Mercy Akide, Adokiye Amesiamaka, and Austin Okocha made the list.
There were performances from first grade Nigerian and Ghanaian artists including Patoranking, Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Kiss Daniel, Mis Vee, Simi, Falz, and Dare Arts Alade.
