Polo: Access Bank Donates N10m to UNICEF as Leighton Kings Wins Charity Shield
The prestigious Access Bank/ UNICEF Charity Shield International Polo Tournament came to a befitting climax on Sunday with the presentation of the N10 million donation by the sole sponsors, Access Bank Plc to UNICEF.
The donation was presented at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club in Kaduna by the Group Managing Director/ CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, in support of UNICEF campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic among Nigerian children.
Wigwe who led other top officials of Access Bank to the grand finale of the tournament, expressed delight that the polo event was achieving its main objective of reaching out to the less privileged children in the society.
Wigwe disclosed that the bank has maintained its yearly donation of N10m to support UNICEF towards its projects for orphans and vulnerable children. Besides, he said Access Bank is continually seeking avenues through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children.
“We have been working in Kaduna, in collaboration with Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Resort and UNICEF to elevate quality of lives. We need to do a lot more in support of these orphans and vulnerable children to enable them look forward to a better tomorrow,” he added.
UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Pernille Ironside who received the donation, commended Access Bank for the assistance, pointing out that through the donation, UNICEF would be able to provide care and support service to orphans and vulnerable children in focus areas of Kaduna State.
The cheque presentation which was witnessed by the Emir of Kano, HRH Lamido Sanusi, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and diplomats, was the major highlight of the closing ceremony.
In the final game, Leighton Kings defeated Keffi Ponys 10-7 to win their fifth Charity Shield title.
Other winners of the weeklong polo fiesta include Sao Paolo, Tavia, STL-Titans and Keffi that carted home the Access Bank Cup, WAPIC Cup and the Argentine Ambassador Cup respectively.