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2016: In the beginning
To followers of newly crowned Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Rivers United, the Eunisell brand occupies an important position in the history of the club.
Since Eunisell, West Africa’s largest and independent chemical as well as oil and gas engineering solutions provider, decided to sponsor the club, back in 2016, players and coaches have put in a lot to justify its investment.
sportbusinessbrand.com’s OJEIKERE AIKHOJE writes on brand Eunisell’s consistent association with Rivers United from inception which has finally produced a trophy.
Champions
How did Eunisell anticipate Rivers United would become the NPFL champion after 6 years?
Group Managing Director, Chika Ikenga, has always stressed that fact that: “wearing the Rivers United shirt with Eunisell carries extra responsibility. We request the players and officials to carry this responsibility with pride. We urge them to take the inspiration from this homour and win the league.”
Despite its inability to make an impact for over six years, the brand remained confident that the club will reach its desired goal with continuous support.
History was made Saturday, June 25, 2022, as the club won its first Nigerian title without kicking the ball as its closest rival, Plateau United lost at Akwa United.
The club’s feat this season clearly asserts the commitment of brand Eunisell.
Eunisell’s Longest Running Sponsorship
Since 2016 Eunisell has been on the shirt of the club as sponsor, a feat that makes the club stand out and makes it the longest running sponsorship in the NPFL.
At a time corporate Nigeria turned its back on the fledging NPFL, Eunisell simply reinvented club sponsorship by embracing the newly formed Rivers United, in 2016.
Before the club was formed, Eunisell sponsored defunct Sharks, in 2015.
However, Sharks lost its top flight status and was eventually merged with another club owned by the Rivers State government, Dolphins, to form Rivers United.
For Ikenga, sponsoring Rivers United is a committed to the development of the community and domestic league.
“We care about the communities where we live and do business. We are always prepared to invest in them and demonstrate our commitment to them. We like to bring and share memories.
“Eunisell decided to sponsor Rivers United to be part of their history, amplify the story of Rivers State and the opportunities that exist. The association is both a community support and a business decision.
“Whilst the partnership benefits the club, it also builds us goodwill”, he said.
Indeed, the past years has seen the Eunisell logo showing not just across the country, but also the African continent.
Motivation
To salvage struggling Sharks, Eunisell introduce “Cash For Goals” and determined to see the new Rivers United rise to new heights, Eunisell introduced a N10,000,000 motivation when the team finished second in its debut season in the NPFL.
At a time the club was having a poor run, Ikenga equally travelled to Sagamu to motivate the team which resulted in an away win against home side, Remo Stars.
To further confirm its readiness to make the club a model in the league, Eunisell introduced the Eunisell Rivers United Day, organised in Port-Harcourt.
The Eunisell Rivers United Day, a celebration of the club is usually attended by players, club hierarchy, fans and the media
Inspiration
Club captain, Festus Austin, salutes brand Eunisell for inspiring the squad.
He said: “The sponsorship of Rivers United by Eunisell has been a great. Kudos to the brand. Seeing Eunisell in front of our jersey is quite encouraging and we need more of this to improve the league.”
Appreciation
Owners of the team, the Rivers State Government has previously applauded, Eunisell, for its consistency.
Permanent Secretary, in the State Ministry of Sports, James Enebeli, hailed the brand during the second Eunisell Rivers United Day celebration, in the Rivers State capital, Port-Harcourt, in 2019.
“It is not easy to invest consistently in a club, since 2015, from Sharks, now Rivers United, that has not actually won laurels to commensurate with the money on them. It demonstrates your commitment to promoting the club,” Enebeli, represented by Director of Sports Development, Prudence I. Harry, said during the event.
