Green Lotto Paints Ilasamaja Community ‘Green’ with Five-a-side Football Contest

Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that one of the leading lottery companies in Nigeria, Green Lotto, has chosen a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Ilasamaja area of Mushin, Lagos, to ignite an annual football contest which has the potential to grow into a massive fiesta in a short time

Polar Bed FC of Ajeabo Community in the Ilasamaja area of Mushin has emerged winners of the five-a-side football championship sponsored by Green Lotto, Nigeria’s leading lottery brand. 

The outstanding grass root football club was crowned champions at the final of the five-a-side competition held at the Ajeabo Playing ground on Sunday October 22.

Polar Bed had an unbeaten run from the start of the competition. The club defeated Ojo FC 1-0, to emerge winners.

The winner of the competition went home with N200,000, while the Runners- up, got the sum of N150,000. The winners were presented with a trophy and medals while runners-up received medals for coming second in the keenly contested final.

Winner of the competition last year and defending Champion Babalola FC won the third place by defeating Church Close FC. A major highlight of the football contest was a novelty match between staff of Green and leaders of the Omonigbehin community.

Explaining the involvement of his company, the Head of Brand Marketing Communications at Green Lotto, Mr. Imoudu Asekhame, said, “At Green Lotto, we put our customers first and strive to give them all round value whether in an experiential manner or otherwise. That is why we are happy that the Green Lotto five-a-side tournament resonated well with our people who are also football lovers.”

Throwing more light on the tournament, he said, “We all know that Nigeria is a football-loving nation and the Green Lotto five-a-side tournament is not just another soccer tournament. It is designed to create an opportunity for our customers to celebrate and represent their communities.” 

He added that the tournament is also inspired by the need to create a platform to engage and support young football talents who have the energy and passion for the game and seek the right exposure.

A leader of the community, Honourable Yinka Esho, member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Mushin Constituency I, praised Green Lotto for its continued sponsorship of the football championship, He said the competition has the potential of exposing the youths of the communities to achieve greatness in football both locally and internationally.

In 2022, Green Lotto launched its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in partnership with the 13th Nigerian Queen,  Abimbola Abayomi (Queen AIRA), focused on youth empowerment and employment. Through this initiative, the company has so far created employment opportunities and given business support grants to youths of Egbe-Idimu and Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDAs.

The five-a-side tournament is a street football competition featuring 24 teams representing different streets in Omonighehin Community in Ilasamaja area of Mushin. Polar Bed FC is constituted by residents of streets adjoining  Ilasamaja Primary School and Moriamo Ajoke. One of the CDA chairmen of the community, Mr. Orunsolu Modiu commended Green Lotto for recognising and honouring his area with a football contest. He prayed that the years ahead will witness greater exhibition. 

The company used the opportunity to conduct brisk business as its sales kiosks were set up around the pitch for persons who participate in lottery. Many participants welcomed the idea of bringing the game closer to them in their neighbourhood. 

Speaking on the objective of the competition, Asekhame said it was the brand’s way of demonstrating its deep commitment to mental growth and physical development. He added that in the last five years,  “Green Lotto has built a large community of believers and therefore leveraging on platforms such as football offers us a unique opportunity of engaging and interacting with some of our key stakeholders who believe in the Green Lotto brand.” 

He also explained that the aim of the initiative is to groom young people to channel their energy towards sporting activities as this will help check delinquent activities.

 “Football is a sport that enhances healthy living and physical development. At Green Lotto we tend to support our consumers and our community and this is our way of supporting grassroots football in Nigeria,” he stressed. “We believe that engaging in relevant exercises and sports like football is necessary for a healthy mind and body that is why we are proud to be part of the five a-side football competition.”

Paul James, Executive Director of Living Heart Foundation, organisers of the competition said the organisation and thr Ajeabo community, appreciated the support from Green Lotto.

The event had in attendance a number of notable dignitaries from the Ajeabo community. Twenty-four teams from 24 streets that constitute the community registered to compete in the four-week competition.

Palpable excitement was everywhere with music, dance and lucky dip draw where over 50 bags of rice, cartons of noodles and cooking oil were won on the spot courtesy of Green Lotto.