I will continue to sponsor UNN staff games — Ex-student Mbaigbo

 Mr Nnamdi Mbaigbo, the Managing Director, Tropical Gate Ltd., Lagos, says he will continue to sponsor University of Nigeria, Nsukka  (UNN) Staff Games as a way of giving back to his alma mater.

Mbaigbo, an alumnus of UNN made the remark during UNN 2020 staff games grand finale in Nsukka on Thursday.

He said he would forever remain grateful to his alma mater, which made him what he had become now.

“The games are meant to ensure that staff members are physically and mentally fit to carry out their duties.

“I  am sponsoring the games as my little way to give back to the  university that made me what I am now,”  he said.

Mbaigbo, who is also the MD of Freightmart Ltd. and Karatos Marimus Ltd., commended the active participation and spirit of sportsmanship by participating teams from different faculties.

“I am happy with active participation, spirit  of sportsmanship  by participating teams as well as good handling of the games by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

“UNN as my alma mater is important and  strategic to me in all I do, being the institution that  prepared and equipped me for the future,” he said.

The sponsor expressed special thanks to his classmate and close friend who is a lecturer at UNN, Dr Whyte Nwankwo, for introducing the idea of sponsoring  the games to him.

In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, thanked Mbaigbo for remembering to give back to his alma mater that prepared and equipped him for the future.

“You are worthy ambassador and super lion of UNN for your immense support to sports development.

“I urge other alumni to emulate your good example and contributie their quota in developing and taking UNN to a greater height,” he said.

In a remark, Mr Tony Ugwu, Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation, Enugu State, applauded Mbaigbo for investing in football.

Ugwu said  football had been a veritable instrument to  promote peace  and unity among  people irrespective of their religion, tribe or political affiliations.

Also, Mr Benjamin Njoku, the Director of Sports in  UNN, said that the  annual staff games had helped to keep staff members fit and strong.

Njoku said UNN staf members would forever remain grateful to the sponsor as the games had  also helped to discover hidden talents in sports in the university.

The director, however, appealed to the sponsor to  donate a bus to UNN  sports department  to ease logistics problems.

“This will help in conveying students, staff members and athletes to venues of competitions outside UNN.

‘The bus we had got burnt at works department last year,” he said.

Earlier,  Nwankwo, the LOC Chairman, expressed happiness on the success of UNN staff games since 2018 that Mbaigbo started the sponsorship.

“I salute the sponsor’s philanthropist gesture to UNN staff, he is a super lion and a good ambassador of his alma mater.

“I appreciate the support of university management and commitment of  members of LOC in ensuring success of the games  since 2018,” he said.

Supreme reports that the highligt of the grand finale was final match between Faculty of Social Science and Faculty of Biological Science which ended 1-0 in favour of social science.

Supreme gathered that Faculty of Social Science had won the golden trophy three consecutive times since 2018.

Bishop Edwin Okorougo of Salvation Army Church, Anambra, was among dignitaries that watched the football finale.