Since 2016 the Asisat Oshoala Foundation has held football clinics for girls in secondary schools in Lagos State. Winners and most valuable players at the event are given cash prizes and an opportunity to school and play football abroad. The foundation has also provided exercise books, school bags, writing materials and sanitary pads to the girls and taught them how to perform CPR.
This year's edition of the event took place at the Femi Gbajabiamila Sports Complex at the Abalti Barracks in Surulere on December 25th. Emzor used the event as a welcome home ceremony for Asisat Oshoala after she won a 6th African Footballer of the Year award.
Here are pictures of the event.
1) Deji Omotoyinbo, Asisat Oshoala, Toyin Ibitoye and Godwin Enaghena.
2) Uzoma Ezeoke of Emzor, Asisat Oshoala and Aisha Falode
Emzor hosts Asisat Oshoala to grand homecoming, supports Football tournament for girls
December 27, 2023
Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Nigeria's leading private indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing group, has honoured Nigerian female international soccer star and record sixth-time CAF African Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, by hosting her to a grand homecoming reception in celebration of her rare feat.
Emzor also supported the Barcelona striker with the sponsorship of the 8th Annual Asisat Oshoala Football Competition for Girls – a pet project initiated and owned by Asisat to offer a veritable platform for young girls with an interest in football to hone their skills and showcase their talent. The preliminaries of the football tournament were staged on December 24, while the finals were held on December 25.
Speaking during the welcome reception held on Christmas day, December 25, 2023, in Lagos, the Group Managing Director/CEO, of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, represented by Uzoma Ezeoke, Executive Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, described Asisat as a motivation and a good role model for young people to emulate. She also commended her for making Nigeria proud with her numerous awards chief of which is her record sixth-time CAF African Women’s Player of the Year award.
She said Emzor celebrates Asisat for her remarkable achievements, and for being a good example of the resilient, can-do spirit that propels Nigerians to success anywhere they found themselves, affirming that the company was proud of its association with the iconic international football star.
"On behalf of all of us at Emzor Pharmaceutical, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on achieving the rare feat as the record sixth time CAF African Women’s Player of the Year. Your exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and outstanding sportsmanship has not only brought glory to yourself but has also elevated our nation's standing in the African continent and the international stage," she said.
Continuing, Mrs. Ezeoke stated, "Your remarkable performance exemplifies the values of excellence and perseverance that we hold dear. Your commitment to your craft and the positive impact you have made on the global sports ecosystem is a true inspiration for aspiring footballers, especially our girls.
"This homecoming reception serves as a recognition of your unparalleled contributions to the world of football. We are immensely proud to have you represent our country, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success in the future. Without any doubt, your achievements have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of our organisation and the global football community,"
Mrs Ezeoke stated further that Asisat’s feat as a record holder of six times winner of CAF African Women’s Player of the Year was a booster for young girls who are passionate about football even as she restated Emzor’s unwavering commitment to sports development in Nigeria.
Highlighting Emzor’s support for football in Nigeria, she stated that as a wellness company, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries has been a major supporter of the national teams - the Super Eagles since 2014, and the Super Falcons since 2016. It also supports individual players who own initiatives and platforms through which they give back to society. Asisat Oshoala is one good example.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kunle Faloye, Emzor Pharmaceuticals' Marketing Manager, said the occasion was a special one to honour Oshoala for her accomplishments as a good face of the brand.
"Today is a special day as we gather to celebrate our esteemed national ambassador and also our brand ambassador. Asisat Oshoala's passion, dedication and commitment to excellence are aligned with our brand values, and they make her endearing and exceptional to the Emzor family. This homecoming reception is therefore our own little way of appreciating her for doing Nigeria proud. Thank you all for being here to share this momentous occasion with us," he said.
Asisat Oshoala in her response thanked Emzor Pharmaceutical for the honour donned on her and stated that the support she received from Nigerians and the company was part of the incentive for her success.
"I thank Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and everyone of you for this incredible welcome. It's an honour to be back home, surrounded by the support of my family, constituency, the football community, friends, associates and well-wishers. This award - CAF African Women’s Player of the Year for the record sixth year - is not just mine; it belongs to each one of you who believed in me. Let's continue making history together. Thank you!"
The high points of the homecoming reception included the presentation of a customised jersey emblazoned with Six CAF African Women’s Player of the Year to the football icon.
Among the dignitaries that graced the event were representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Asisat Oshoala Foundation, Asisat Oshoala Academy for Girls, sports celebrities, media representatives and well-wishers.
Oshoala won the biggest individual awards at the CAF Awards 2023 capping the record sixth African Women’s Player of the Year at an awards ceremony in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday night, December 11, 2023. Apart from her emergence as the Most Valuable Player at Namibia 2014 African Women’s Championship (AWC), where she equally won the Silver Boot award for scoring four goals, Oshoala was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, beating star players including Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), later crowned her effort with the African Women Player of the Year award.
Asisat Lamina Oshoala, a holder of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) was born on October 9, 1994. She currently plays professional football as a striker for Spanish Liga FC Barcelona and the Nigeria women's national team, Super Falcons. Widely regarded as one of the greatest African female footballers of all time and one of the best in the world, she is one of the most celebrated African female footballers of all time, having won African Women's Footballer of the Year a record six times.
About Emzor
Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is a private indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing group founded in 1984 by Dr. Stella C. Okoli, OON. From a humble beginning as a retail chemist’s shop in January 1977 and rising to become one of Nigeria’s most respected, indigenous multi-billion naira pharmaceutical companies today, Emzor's pipeline of over 140 high-quality pharmaceutical products and medical consumables include analgesics, vitamins, haematinics, antimalarials, antitussives, antibiotics, anti-helminthic, anti-histamine, antacid, and cardio-protective drugs.
We are a wholly owned, indigenous Nigerian company and we choose to remain that way for the betterment of our country and its people. Our choice to manufacture drugs locally has the dual aim of providing affordable, value-rich healthcare to our people and building employment and manufacturing capabilities in the region.
An all star game is usually held as part of the programme. Previous editions have featured Nwankwo Kanu, Jude Ighalo, Abu Azeez, Onome Ebi, Rasheedat Ajibade, Tobi Bakare, Stephen Odey and other stars.
This year's event took place at Campos Square Mini Stadium on Lagos Island on December 26th. Here are photos and videos of the event.
You are doing just well Oshoala. God bless the immense effort to better the lot of the society by your kind efforts to give back. May more stars be discovered that will do this nation proud.
Since 2016 the Asisat Oshoala Foundation has held football clinics for girls in secondary schools in Lagos State. Winners and most valuable players at the event are given cash prizes and an opportunity to school and play football abroad. The foundation has also provided exercise books, school bags, writing materials and sanitary pads to the girls and taught them how to perform CPR.
This year's edition of the event took place at the Femi Gbajabiamila Sports Complex at the Abalti Barracks in Surulere on December 25th. Emzor used the event as a welcome home ceremony for Asisat Oshoala after she won a 6th African Footballer of the Year award.
Here are pictures of the event.
1) Deji Omotoyinbo, Asisat Oshoala, Toyin Ibitoye and Godwin Enaghena.
2) Uzoma Ezeoke of Emzor, Asisat Oshoala and Aisha Falode
