Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Sterling Bank Plc has renewed its sponsorship deal with Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin City for the new Nigerian Premier Football League season.
The renewed sponsorship was approved at the 2022/23 jersey unveiling ceremony held recently at the Edo State Government House in Benin, Edo State.
Bendel Insurance Football Club signed the largest kit sponsorship partnership in Nigerian club football history with the inking of a record-making deal worth N50 million with Sterling Bank for the 2021/2022 Nigerian National League (NNL) season.
The pledge was made by the Executive Director at Sterling Bank, Mr. Tunde Adeola, stating “Sterling is very grateful and honored to be a part of the return to footballing glory of Bendel Insurance. We at Sterling will continue to support and sponsor Bendel Insurance because we did so last year, are doing so this season, and look forward to continuing this partnership.”
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who doubles as the chairman of Bendel Insurance and Edo Queen football clubs, thanked Sterling Bank for its support and believing in their dreams.
The Deputy Governor stated that “Sterling Bank believed in us, they believed in our dream and our vision, and they came in last year to break the jinx of having a corporate entity sponsoring a team in Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).”
“They brought in N50 million last year. But they said we are bringing in our corporate name which we cherish so much, and I also reminded them that as they cherish their name, we also cherish the Bendel Insurance name.
“I told them that two important names are coming together. The implication is that they will do well. They said if we do well, they will increase it, and they gave an option of first refusal. Today, we have been promoted and they have increased it,” Shaibu revealed with enthusiasm.
The newly signed deal will see the bank raise the value of the contract with the club to N75m as the club vie for honours in the topflight this season.
