A Previous Airtel Event |
In demonstration of its support for youth and
sports development in Nigeria, leading telecommunications services provider,
Airtel Nigeria, has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria College of Education
Games (NICEGA) by donating cash and gift items to support the tournament.
The 2014 edition of the intercollege tournament
which kicked off this week is being hosted by Niger State College of Education,
Minna and will involve Colleges of Education across the country.
Speaking on Airtel’s support , Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, noted that
sports not only serves as a vehicle through which thousands of Nigerian youths
can be helped to discover their talents and achieve their dreams, it is also an
activity which keeps youths away from vices.
“At Airtel we are deeply passionate about providing
opportunities and platforms through which Nigerian youths can discover their
skills. Airtel has been in the forefront of youths and sport development in
Nigeria and we believe that there are still millions of untapped talents
needing the right opportunities and support for discovery and exposure. This
forms the bedrock of our resolve to continually strive at creating avenues,”
Mr. Ogunsanya said.
Airtel’s Regional Operations Director, North, Mr.
Wole Abu who presented the cash donation to the chairman of the organising
committee Prof. Farouk Haruna Abdulrasheed who is also the provost of Niger state
college of Education, presented also, branded gifts items including Shirts,
Wrist bands, Bandana, Fez Caps among others.
Mr. Abu also revealed Airtel plans to deploy other
items including banners and Airtel branded canopies within the venue of the competition
to assist in adding colour and creating awareness about the games.
It is on record that Airtel Nigeria continually
sponsors laudable initiatives such as the Airtel Rising Stars football
tournament, Airtel One Mic, Nigeria’s Got Talent and the newly
created Airtel Trace Music Star with the aim of supporting youths in
Nigeria towards achieving their dreams.
This year’s edition of NICEGA involves over 90
Colleges of Education across the country which will participate in 18 games
including football, volley ball, table tennis, basketball, scrabble, and
athletics among other sports. The first edition of NATCEGA, as it was then
referred, was hosted by Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri in 1978.