By
Akeem Lawal
Ex-international Augustine Jay Jay Okocha has launched a
foundation created in his name, Jay Jay Okocha Foundation (JJOF) with the
primary objective to use football to raise awareness on the strategic
importance of education, peace and unity for the economic growth of Nigeria, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the foundation and
appointment of I-Naira.com as the official auctioneer for the foundation in
Lagos on Tuesday, Austin who launched the charitable organization together with
his brother Emma Okocha, said the non-governmental and non-profit making
initiative will actively work towards finding talented, young but disadvantaged
footballers in different regions across Nigeria through the annual Okocha
Football for Unity & Peace competition with the aim of providing a pedestal
for these children to be nurtured and well educated.
According to the former Super Eagles Captain, “This
foundation couldn’t have started in a better way than partnering with I-Naira.com
that has given me the platform or the easiest way to raise money because
without money, I won’t be able to do anything. So I appeal to our people to
encourage me because all I need is encouragement as I see this platform to go
beyond football. We all know what football can do and I believe I got the voice
through football. Now I want to use that voice now to bring peace not just in
Nigeria but as far as I can go because I didn’t only play in Nigeria, I didn’t only
represent Nigeria, and also to bring unity,” said the former PSG midfielder.
Emma on the other hand calls for more partnership, saying,
“We want to give back to the society. We are not saying we are the best people
to do it and that is why we want to partner with as many people, private
sector, government because without every other person it won't work."
The CEO, I-Naira.com, Hilary Nwaukor, revealed that the
Nigeria first technologically driven online auctioning platform will assist Jay
Jay Okocha Foundation to raise funds by auctioning the player’s memorabilia and
items that he may have acquired from friends and associate over the course of
his career.
“I-Naira.com is a Consumer Sales Promotion Company that
acts as a middle man between merchants/ vendors and consumers in order to
deliver that extra value to the end user. The company uses single level
referral marketing strategy to grow our platform towards the launch of our core
product (iNairaBid) by the 1st of August 2016,” Nwaukor said.
The event which was witnessed by President of Certified
Institute of Auctioneer, Nigeria, Mr. Adeleke Hassan also saw the first auction
of a jersey which was won by Mr. Eddy Lawani with the highest valuation of
N260,000.
Former Super Eagles players, Augustine Eguavoen, Peter Rufai and Mutiu Adepoju were also present to give their support to their former colleague.
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