Kanu, Babayaro, Others, Headline MTN’s Partnership with Arsenal

By Azuka Ogujiuba

Former Arsenal and Nigerian International, Kanu Nwankwo, along with his former national teammate and ex-Chelsea player, Celestine Babayaro, were among the high profile guests that graced the formal announcement of MTN Nigeria’s strategic partnership with leading Premiership League club side, Arsenal FC. With the partnership, MTN becomes Arsenal’s official mobile telecommunications Network partner in Nigeria.

While expressing delight at the partnership, Kanu stated that it would usher in exciting times for football lovers across the country. “It is an exciting partnership and a good development for football in Nigeria. MTN and Arsenal have done well by bringing this unique opportunity to football fans in Nigerian.”

Speaking on the partnership, MTN’s Chief Operating Officer Muhammad Siddiqui, stated that the pact would help the company and Arsenal engage football enthusiasts beyond the current traditional broadcast of matches. “The partnership will enable football fans in Nigeria have exclusive access to digital contents on the MTN network.”

Arsenal’s Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Tannock, said, “Arsenal has huge support in Nigeria. This is strengthened by the influence of Kanu Nwankwo, who is our legend and the recent emergence of Alex Iwobi into the first team.”

Other benefits of the partnership include free match tickets and all-expense paid trips to Emirates stadium for viewing of live matches of the club and coaching clinic session in Nigeria for local football development.

At the announcement of the partnership, some lucky guests emerged as the first set of winners for the all-expense paid trip to Emirates stadium in London. These are some of the faces at the historic event.