As the 26th edition of the Ijebu Premier League kicked off, one of the new faces among this year’s corporate supporters was Bansek Production Limited, a company based in Ijebu-Ode that has joined the growing list of businesses backing grassroots football.

Speaking exclusively to CitiPlug Magazine at the opening match, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Banjo Olaiwola Williams, explained that his decision to support the league came from a genuine passion for sports and a desire to contribute to the development of his hometown.

“I love anything that has to do with sports,” he said. “You can see the way I’m dressed. I’m a sportsman. I work out, I watch football, especially international football. When I discovered that something like this exists here in my own town, I knew I had to be part of it.”

Williams admitted that he only recently became aware of the Ijebu Premier League, noting that he would have become involved much earlier had he known about the competition.

“If I had heard about the Premier League earlier, I would have been involved from the beginning,” he said. “Seeing people organise a competition like this in Ijebu inspired me to plug in, and I want to encourage other people and businesses to do the same.”

Rather than viewing the sponsorship as a one-off commitment, the Bansek Production CEO said the company intends to build a lasting relationship with the league.

“It won’t be a one-time thing,” he said. “For a growing company like Bansek, we want this to be something that continues. By God’s grace, we’ll remain involved, and through our network we’ll also encourage other organisations to support the league.”

Beyond football, Williams also used the opportunity to introduce Bansek Production Limited to the wider public. The company specialises in bottled water and dairy-based beverages, with plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Ogun State.

“We produce bottled water and dairy products, including orange juice, black orange, Chapman, yoghurt and other beverages,” he explained. “We’re also planning to begin producing nylon packaging and PET bottles locally, so businesses in Ijebu won’t have to travel to Lagos to source these materials.”

He believes local manufacturing and local sports development share a common goal: building stronger communities and creating opportunities for young people.

Calling on other entrepreneurs to support initiatives within their communities, Williams said businesses have a responsibility to invest where they operate.

“If you have the capacity to support programmes in your own town and you don’t, then you’re missing out,” he said. “The Bible teaches us that whatever you sow, you will reap. When businesses invest in young people and community development, the returns may not come immediately, but they will certainly come.”

Williams says Bansek plans to stay involved beyond this season, and to bring other companies in his network along with it.