By Chizaram Nnaji

The English Premier League (EPL) trophy made a historic stop in Enugu on Thursday as Guinness Nigeria Plc flagged off its Guinness Match Day campaign, in celebration of its 75th anniversary in the country.

The event, which drew top officials of Guinness Nigeria, government dignitaries, football stakeholders, and fans, was held in recognition of Enugu’s revered status as the “spiritual home” of Nigerian football and the historic legacy of Rangers International FC.

Leading the Guinness Nigeria delegation, the company’s Corporate Relations Director, Rotimi Odusola, said Enugu was a natural choice for the first display of the trophy in Nigeria.

“Some may wonder why Enugu. The reason is simple—this is the spiritual home of football in Nigeria,” Odusola said. “As a young football lover, I grew up hearing legendary stories about Enugu Rangers. The state’s transformation under Governor Mbah further convinced us that this was the right place to begin.”

Odusola noted that the trophy tour is part of a global partnership between Guinness and the English Premier League, aimed at creating “magical moments” for fans while showcasing Guinness’ legacy in Nigeria over the past 75 years.

Addressing the gathering, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, said the event underscored Enugu’s historic and cultural connection to football.

“This is the home of the mighty Rangers. This is the home of the cathedral. The spirit of football lives here,” Ekweremadu said.

He lauded Guinness and the EPL for recognizing Enugu’s strategic importance and bringing the experience to the city, noting it was also a platform to project the state’s serenity, heritage, and culture.

Speaking on the brand’s long-standing relationship with football, Yinka Bakare, Guinness Nigeria’s Director of Marketing and Innovations, described the collaboration with the EPL as a global engagement that resonates strongly with Nigerian consumers.

“Football is a passion point that unites people. Our consumers love football and they love Guinness. So it’s a natural relationship,” Bakare said.

He also highlighted Guinness Nigeria’s impact across sectors—citing investments in clean water access, eye care, scholarships, and economic empowerment programmes for women.

Bakare noted that over 30% of Guinness Nigeria’s consumers are located in the South-East, consuming nearly 58% of the company’s beverage volumes in the country.

Also speaking at the event, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, General Manager of Rangers International FC, commended Guinness for supporting youth and grassroots football.

He revealed that Rangers Academy runs structured youth programmes from under-6 to under-17 categories and has also integrated female football development.

“We believe grassroots football is the light at the end of the tunnel for sports development. It’s the way forward,” Ezeaku said.

He disclosed that the club will mark the International Day of the Boy Child with football matches involving its youth teams and local schools, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria.

Dignitaries at the event included: Rotimi Odusola, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria; Yinka Bakare, Director of Marketing and Innovations, Guinness Nigeria; Ramanathan Sollayepan, Head of Marketing, Guinness Nigeria; Adesoji Opeyemi, Head of Division, South-East, Guinness Nigeria; Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Enugu State; Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, General Manager, Rangers FC, among others.

The event featured a presentation of the EPL trophy, interactive fan experiences — all aimed at deepening fan engagement and celebrating Guinness Nigeria’s contribution to the nation’s sporting and socio-economic landscape.

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