P&G, STARUF Sports Development celebrate children
Lagos, May 31, 2013: Procter & Gamble Nigeria (P&G), leading makers of consumer packaged goods in partnership with STARUF Sports Development Limited (SSD) – Founded by Prince Peter Rufai - have sponsored youth under 13 and 17 in a football tournament to celebrate the world children's day at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, in Ikeja, Lagos.
The tournament was attended by Nigerian football legends including Mutiu Adepoju, Taju Disu, over a thousand children, representatives from P&G, Staruf Sports development limited and Nigerian Air Force Officers' Wives Association (NAFOWA)amongst others. Thefootball competition betweenthe teams from Staruf Academy and the Air Force Base,held in three categories including 'under-13' boys, 'under-17' boys and Adult categories. The Staruf Academy players won in all categories.
Highlights of the event included a P&G talk on the importance of hygiene in maintaining good health. The Health and hygiene talk was delivered to mothers and children at the event by a 'Safeguard Soap'qualified nurse. The Lagos state chapter NDLEA assistant director for drug abuse and preventative education, Mrs Stella Ngwoke also advised mothers and youth at the event on ways of overcoming the menace of drug abuse.
Speaking at the event, Company communications manager for Procter and Gamble, Olatomiwa Akande disclosed that P&G's sponsored the event in line with the company's commitment to touch and improve lives in Nigeria.
She further explained saying, “P&G entered into a 10 year partnership with the International Olympic Committee - the IOC - to support the Olympics Games and to develop youth sports globally. We choose to contribute towards developing children through sports,as our company purpose of 'touching and improving lives'ties closely with the Olympic Games purpose of building a better world through sports”.
She went on to say, “I am happy to announce that in Nigeria, P&G has begun to deliver on this focus by donating sports equipment to 3,000 children across the country in April,as well as by renovating sports facilities in various schools across Nigeria. These donations were made possible with the help of the Nigerian public”.
Also speaking, Peter Rufai the chairman of the academy in his speech said, Staruf's objectives are to provide an avenue for the youths to use their natural talents for the good of the society, to provide an activity to keep youths busy, get them out of the streets and to keep them away from social vices that could threaten their existence. Prince Peter Rufai commended P&G saying, 'thank you P&G for the wonderful support you have made to sports in the country and for coming out today to continue in this support'.