BY ONOME AMUGE
Leadway, one of Nigeria’s foremost insurance companies, has entered a sponsorship agreement with Sporting Lagos Football Club, a debutant in the Nigerian National League (NNL), aimed at advancing the company’s commitment to strengthening youth engagement, deepening sports development, and promoting talents.
According to the renowned insurance services provider, the season-long sponsorship with the Lagos-based football club, aligns with its philosophy of contributing to individual growth, especially the youths, promoting local content, and bolstering economic advancement in its immediate community, the country, and Africa at large.
Olusakin Labeodan, group chief marketing officer, Leadway Holdings, stated that the sponsorship is in line with the company’s corporate objective of strategically creating value by harnessing the talents and potentials of individuals through support to an organisation aimed at advancing lives and promoting economic progress.
“We are delighted to partner with the Sporting Lagos FC team to change the face of sports in Nigeria. It is both an entertainment and a platform for identity and opportunity and an integral part of socio-economic advancement. It is in the light and understanding of the critical role that sports play in pivoting talents towards life-changing emancipation that is the driver and core of this sponsorship,” he explained.
Labeodan further noted that Nigeria, which is ranked the most populous country in Africa, has a youth population of about 65 percent, with about 13.9 million unemployed as of 2022.
In this regard, he said it is ideal that every socially responsible organisation encourages and partners with causes tilted at providing a platform for youths to unbox and unleash their talents.
“We are optimistic that this partnership will steer the discovery of more Nigerian superstars, encourage youth participation and bolster sports development in Nigeria,” he remarked.
Sporting Lagos Football Club was founded by Shola Akinlade, co-founder/CEO of Paystack, Nigeria’s leading online payment platform and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stripe. The football club, according to the founder, is a community effort geared towards building something enduring that creates opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.
Prior to the sponsorship, Leadway has been involved in supporting youth participation in other sporting activities such as lawn and table tennis, basketball, cycling and athletics, working with credible organisations such as Ikoyi Club, Cycology, among others.
