Jan 24, 2022

The Spanish giant, league sponsorship organisation, Laliga, says it will partner University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to boost sports in the institution.

Mr. Desmond Chiji, LaLiga Delegate, Global Network for Nigeria and Ghana International Development, disclosed this in Nsukka on Monday, when he led a team on courtesy visit to Prof. Charles lgwe, UNN Vice-chancellor.

Chiji said the visit was to know the areas LaLiga would collaborate with the university in boosting sports.

He said that though LaLiga had been known by many for sports, the organisation had invested hugely in other fields like entertainment, business, marketing, digital among others.

“As LaLiga delegate representing Nigeria and Ghana, we are in UNN to find areas to partner with the university.

“UNN has good heritage and legacies as a premier university in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, LaLiga and UNN share some values, as the university had produced great men and women in education and other fields of life, so also LaLiga had produced heroes and legends in sports, entertainment, and other fields.

“UNN graduates have impacted positively in nation-building through quality education and research outputs.

“LaLiga on its part has produced world heroes and legends in various fields, especially in sports.

“It’s a good development for the two organisations to partner in order to give more to humanity,” he said.

Chiji expressed appreciation to his friend, Mr. Nnamdi Mbaigbo, the Chief Executive Officer, Tropical Gate Foundation for Sustainable Development that facilitated the visit to UNN.

“My friend Mbaigbo, who is a product of this great institution invited me to UNN to see how LaLiga can partner with this great university,” Chiji said.

In a remark, Mbaigbo said he would continue to do his best for UNN as the university that made him what he is now.

Mbaigbo, an alumnus of UNN, has been sponsoring the UNN staff games since 2018, which featured football, athletics, track and field competitions.

“I will continue to give back the little I have to UNN as well as attract more opportunities to it as the university that made me what I am now,” Mbaigbo said.

Responding, the VC said the university was excited and ready to partner LaLiga that had made its name globally, especially in sports.

The VC, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Pat Okpoko said that UNN would continue to do its best to live up to the dreams and visions of its founding fathers.

“The university is ready to partner LaLiga in sports as well as in other fields of life,” he said.

Igwe commended Mbaigbo for his special love for his alma mater and urged other alumni of the university to emulate him.

“Mbaigbo has been sponsoring UNN staff annual games since 2018 as well as attracting other opportunities of development to his alma mater, “Igwe said.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of official LaLiga football to the VC by LaLiga officials. (NAN)