In what appears to be a rejection of a major opportunity, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian mobile payment company, Paga, Tayo Oviosu, has rejected an opportunity to partner with Arsenal Football Club.
In a tweet shared by the CEO, English football giant, Arsenal, appeared to have approached Mr Oviosu with a partnership proposal for paga. In the proposal, the club promised to help Arsenal leverage its global reach and transform lives through financial access.
“With 638 million followers worldwide, 468 million TV viewership, and a fanbase who are 25% more likely than the general population to have sent money to friends or family or to a different country in the last month, a partnership like this can deliver both reach and performance
Arsenal’s alleged letter to Tayo Oviosu
The London club and Premier League runner-up appeared to further woo the Paga CEO saying: We always strive to partner with like-minded, caring brands like Paga. The Arsenal way is to ‘Act for a Winning Team, Culture and Community,’ and our values to ‘Always Move Forward’, ‘Be Together’ and to take ‘Actions that Matter,’ are well-aligned to those of Paga, in particular its commitment to enriching people’s lives.
But Tayo Oviosu, a die-hard Chelsea fan, appears to want nothing to do with his club’s London neighbours and long-time rivals. In this matter, he even appears ready and willing to put passion before business and his response, at least the one he posted on Twitter, is an emphatic NO.
No. We are Chelsea
Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in England, and indeed one of the biggest in the world. While they haven’t been very successful in recent years, there appears to be a revitalisation going on at the club. This revival has seen the club finish second in the Premier League last season, while qualifying for the continental showpiece, the Uefa Champions League for the first time in 8 years.
Chelsea on the other hand have failed to qualify for a European competition for the first time in 7 years. But all of that is of little consequence to a die-hard Blue-blooded fan, especially if this has anything to do with their red neighbours up north in the capital.
While Tayo Oviosu’s refusal has made Chelsea fans on the timeline very happy, it has, however, not gone down well with others who think the CEO might be turning down a huge opportunity for his business to reach a wider and global audience.
The president of Calvin University, Dr. Wiebe Boer knocked the CEO for letting personal sentiments get in the way of business. “Oga, you should never let misdirected personal sentiments get in the way of sound business judgement,” the doctor said.
Another user, Afolabi wanted to know if Tayo brought the matter to his board to consider before replying. “Where are your board members?” he asked. Even one of his fellow Chelsea fans, Ropy Jay, said he would be very angry if the CEO rejected such an offer. “As a devoted Chelsea fan, I go swear for you if you reject such financial offers,” he said.
Ultimately, there are those who believe the Paga CEO was only goofing around and must have accepted, or at least agreed to meet with Arsenal’s representatives. Whatever be the case, Tayo Oviosu is the CEO and we believe he would always do what is right for the business. And for himself.
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