AFCON 2022: Sports Minister urges Corporate Nigeria to emulate TotalEnergies support for Super Eagles
…as TotalEnergies expands support of AFCON
Impressed by the sustenance of support for Nigeria in African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, Minister of Sports Mr Sunday Dare has called on corporate organisations to emulate TotalEnergies. This follows announcement of 100 supports for Nigeria during AFCON 2022 scheduled to take place in Cameroon in January 2022.
Dare commended the takeover of the AFCON Sponsorship from a telecom operator to show that the French oil firm truly believes in Nigeria. He identified the sacrifice of TOTALEnergies as a step which other corporate organisations must emulate. Previous support contributed to the excellent performance of Super Eagles at AFCON, he noted.
Meanwhile, the promise of support for Nigeria at AFCON was pledged by the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc,Dr.Samba Seye at a press conference in Lagos to mark the AFCON Trophy Tour for the 2022 tournament.
Dr Seye said in a speech delivered by him at the press conference of AFCON Trophy tour that the group is supporting the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure victory that will make customers in Nigeria happy.
“We look forward to our Nigerian Team excelling at the TotalEnergies AFCON Tournament. We enjoin the players to remain focused and be committed to the sport. We are also using this medium to assure the general public that our company will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Nigerians fully enjoy and experience the tournament,” he said.
Seye added that the group will not only be providing Nigerians with viewing centers, but we will also be powering existing viewing centers in a bid to ensure that the loved sport is watched comfortably with no power interruptions. According to him, we want Nigerians to relax, enjoy the games and be happy. because football is a universal sport, with a language synonymous with friendliness, team spirit and, of course, energy.
“It is more than a sport, it is the expression of all passions, a fervor which makes cultures shine in their diversity. It arouses enthusiasm, in Africa in particular, it brings together all audiences with the same enthusiasm, making the TotalEnergies AFCON the first competition on the continent and the third in the world,” he asserted.
The TotalEnergies boss explained that in Nigeria, the passion is even deeper. This passion and enthusiasm according to him connected TotalEnergies and CAF as an Energy company, and brings all together.
“The company is very present on the African continent and has the first commercial retail network in Africa, and in Nigeria, with over 500 service stations spread across all states. It is natural to share the passion of customers and partners by sponsoring the competition and by supporting the development of football in Africa,” he noted.
The Country Communications Manager Mr Charles Ebereonwu explained that the Trophy tour brings the actual TotalEnergies AFCON trophy to all participating countries for the viewing pleasure of the public. This, he said, “is intended to ignite the passion that is linked to football and to this tournament, as we count down to the take off the TotalEnergies AFCON competition which takes place from January 2022.
“For TotalEnergies, the trophy will tour the streets of Lagos, be on display at selected stations for the viewing pleasure of the customers and the opportunity to take pictures by the trophy,” he disclosed.
While speaking to the press, he said, “The Trophy will be in Nigeria for 3 days from 19th to 23rd November before going to the next country as it will tour 17 countries in Africa before getting to Cameroon where the tournament will take place.”
The other sports supported by TotalEnergies are World Badminton Federation BWF and its main competitions, The Rugby World Cup 2023, A cycling team of the same name TotalEnergies, present in particular on the Tour de France.”
Ebereonwu said, “Nigeria is very important in African football. This is why we are having the trophy tour in Nigeria. This tour is displaying the actual golden trophy; the much-coveted trophy that will be given to the TotalEnergies AFCON winner. The tour will see the celebration of football across our country, particularly in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja. This tour will be an opportunity to celebrate this monumental tournament and give our beloved Nigerians a feel of the tournament rush.
“This is why we decided to embark on a long-term 8-year partnership with Confederation of African Football (CAF) to further push our support to those who bring the passion of football to life. We want to be at the heart of this experience by connecting football lovers around the continent to the sports they love so dearly.”
He further said, “Africa is dear to TotalEnergies. We have operated on the continent for over 80 years. We are in 44 countries including Nigeria. As a way to connect with Africa and show our love and support for Africans, we have partnered with Confederation of African Football (CAF). There is no doubt that Football is the most popular and most loved sport in Nigeria. It is a unifying factor. We all celebrate together when we win; we brood together when we lose.
“Football is central to Africa, and Africa is central to the story of Total. Football is a universal language, synonymous with socialization, enthusiasm and, of course, energy! At Total Energies, we identify strongly with universality of football as a common denominator for peace and solidarity. Being associated with football, is a source of pride and joy. We are fully committed to supporting AFCON in every way possible, in consonance with our passion for the development of African football.”
TotalEnergies which is a multinational integrated energy company committed not only to proving clean, affordable and accessible energy to customers in more than 130 countries where its present.The company is also committed to the development of sports especially in Africa.
