Two of Nigeria’s top athletes, sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan and long jumper, Ese Brume, have promised to use their position as brand ambassadors for Premium Trust Bank to encourage more athletes to seek greatness.
Amusan and Brume had superlative performances at the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships in the United States and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
On Wednesday in Lagos, the duo were unveiled as brand ambassadors by one of Nigeria’s newest financial institutions, Premium Trust bank.
Speaking with The Guardian at the ceremony, Brume stated that as an ambassador, she would do her best to show love and lead other Nigerian athletes by example.
On her part, Amusan stated that she would continue to impact positively on the nation’s athletics, both on and off the track.
Amusan blazed several trails culminating in her winning the World Championships and creating a new world record in the Women’s 100m hurdles, the first for any Nigerian.
Brume, also, has been consistent since winning a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo before further medals at the World Indoors, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
The two athletes thanked the bank for finding them worthy of to be ambassadors and promised to maintain the standard expected of them.
Speaking at the unveiling, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the two athletes signpost the future of the country’s athletes.
He also called on corporate organisations and individuals not to wait until athletes are crowned champions before associating with them.
“These athletes never relent, always strive, consistent in their performances,” the minister said.
“Even on the big stage, they knew they had it in them and they never stop and when the time came, they showed up big time, they showed up for themselves first having done the sacrifices, gone through the discipline, because if you have talent and you don’t add discipline to it, you cannot excel.
“I want to thank Tobi for doing that job in Oregon, not just breaking the record, but breaking it twice the same night. I am thanking you on behalf of this country Nigeria, we are grateful.
Dare revealed that the most telling moment for him at the Olympics in Tokyo was the moment Tobi finished fourth in her race.
“The only person that could comfort her is Ese Brume, not even her coach could do that, I am happy seeing the two of them here, happy to see what they have attained so far.
“Ese came third at the Olympics, but to us, it was a Golden Bronze, thank you because when you came to the Commonwealth Games, you did it again.”
Also speaking at the unveiling, the MD/CEO of the bank, Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, said the major goal of the bank is to support growth hence the maxim ‘Together for Growth.’
According to Emefienim: “This should serve as motivation to other athletes who dare to be different and win no matter their background, obstacles they have been through to get to where they are today.
“The two athletes’ story is just like the bank and I am happy with where we are today and we hope the partnerships bring great impact to the athletes, the sports industry and the country.”
President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, who was also at the event, told The Guardian that he was excited by Amusan and Brume’s recognition by Premium Trust bank.
The chief executive officer of Nilayo sports, Bukola Olopade, who midwived the deal, thanked the management of Premium Trust bank, just as he promised to continue in his dream to change the face of Nigerian sports through quality branding.
