The governor of Abia State Mr. Alex Otti is happy with the Enyimba International of Aba for making the state proud by emerging the new champions of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
He congratulated the all-conquering Enyimba, saying that their victory was not only exciting but also a sign of better things to come under his administration, which is barely two weeks old.
The People’s Elephant lifted their ninth league trophy after topping the table in the NPFL Super 6 playoff which concluded the 2022/2023 league season on Sunday in Lagos.
In a congratulatory message signed by his chief press secretary, Mr. Kazie Uko, Otti dedicated Enyimba’s triumph to the People of Abia, who have remained steadfast in supporting their darling team.
Governor Otti noted the significance of Enyimba’s achievement, describing it as the second most important thing to happen to Abians this year, after the March 18, 2023 election that brought him to power.
“This is a victory for Abia people, who have for a long time been traumatised. We are glad this is happening early under our watch. It is a sign of better things to come for our state and its people,” the highly elated Abia chief executive enthused.
“I want to congratulate the People’s Elephant, as Enyimba is called, on this exciting victory. I would also like to congratulate its management and the Senior Special Assistant on Sports, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, for their resilience in ensuring that the club participated in that competition in Lagos”.
Otti recalled that Enyimba was nearly on the verge of not participating in the Super 6 playoff due to paucity of funds experienced by the club after the change of government.
He said: “At a point, it looked like their participation was not going to be possible, due to paucity of funds. We had only just assumed office. But we rallied round to raise money for the club”.
The new governor of Abia was said to have spoken with the Enyimba players shortly before they filed out against Rivers United in their decisive last match of the tournament.
He succeeded in firing the players up to aim for the league trophy, having expressed great excitement hearing the voice of their new governor.
The match with Rivers United ended 1-1 but it was enough for Enyimba edge the resurgent Remo Stars on goal difference to dethrone Rivers United and emerge new champions.