NPFL: Enugu Rangers’ commercialization drive delights GTI 

By Wale Mustapha

The idea of commercializing one of the most successful clubs in Nigeria, Rangers Int’l has attracted plaudits from a strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited.

The 2016 NPFL champions have embarked on selling parts of control and ownership of the club ahead of 2023/2024 season and GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity Andrew Ekejiuba said that the initiative by Rangers is in line with GTI’s intention of seeing to the total privatization of all Nigerian elite clubs and the development of the beautiful game in the country in Lagos on Thursday.

“GTI was reliably informed that one of Nigeria’s foremost elite clubs, Rangers International of Enugu recently embarked on the process of commercialization of its activities in a bold bid to remain financially solvent and less dependent on the government for funds,” he started.

“The Flying Antelopes unveiled a massive fund-drive project tagged ‘One Million Ambassadors’ in which members are expected to pay an undisclosed token as a membership fee to be enrolled into the exalted ‘One Million Ambassadors Club’.

“This we gathered was aimed at raising funds for the team and pulling together a massive fanbase.

“This development is heart-warming and a commendable initiative which every club featuring in the current season should emulate,” Ekejiuba began.

“The initiative is also in adherent to the clarion call GTI made recently to individuals, philanthropists and Corporate Nigeria to take advantage of the ongoing revolution that club football is witnessing in the country and invest in these clubs.

“The coming of GTI into the country’s football ecosystem has woken the sleeping giants in these clubs and it is expected that all stakeholders of Nigerian football should embrace this new green oil that has the capacity to turn around the country’s GDP going forward.”

The veteran sports journalist noted that the investment window is wide open for individuals, philanthropists and Corporate Nigeria to key into until the last club is taken away from government because the management of elite football is purely a business venture.

Administrative Secretary of Rangers, Barrister Ferdinand Ugwuarua, on Wednesday told a press gathering the commercialization project will be ‘media driven’ and tailored towards the new government of Enugu State’s mantra in managing government business.

GTI noted with excitement that the development has seen Rangers setting the pace and machinery in motion to drive for a million registered members of the club whose tokens will go a long way in ensuring the attainment of a strong financial structure for the club.

Ekejiuba hinted that GTI is optimistic that gradually the Nigerian elite league will get back to the era of Abiola Babes, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Stationary Stores, Asabatex and Flash Flamingoes when they held sway and affirmed that the qualification of Sporting Lagos for the upcoming season is a sign of greater things in the offing.

Ekejiuba added that the August 26 kickoff date as revealed by NPL boss, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye for the new season is tenable and expressed delight that the 2023/2024 NPFL will be a glorious season to remember by stakeholders of Nigeria football following the massive preparations going on quietly at the background by GTI.