9 October 2008
Lagos — Billionaire business mogul and Chairman/CEO African Petroleum Plc Mr. Femi Otedola, has denied having any interest whatsoever in acquiring the English football club, Newcastle United.
According to a statement from Otedola's office, the clarification became necessary in view of rumours making the round of his interest in the club.
"His phone has been inundated with several text messages and calls about his alleged ties with a Nigerian consortium that is rumoured to be making bid to acquire the club. Otedola is not much of a football fan and wonders why he would have to invest that much in an English club. He said football as a sport is not his area of business interest and will therefore not dabble into it."
The statement reiterated that neither Otedola, African Petrolum Plc nor Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited have any interest whatsoever in acquiring Newcastle. The statement advised Nigerians to be wary of anybody peddling Otedola's name in association with the football club or the consortium as there is no link whatsoever with it.
The statement further revealed that Otedola was more interested in investing his money in Nigeria towards moving the country forward.
"Otedola believes in the opportunities inherent in our country and that is why he is concentrating his effort towards exploiting them for the overall benefit of Nigerians."
In the last couple of weeks, the names of very prominent Nigerian businessmen have been rumoured as behind a consortium of Nigerians making a bid for the English Premiership side.
Dr Mike Adenuga, Chairman of Globacom Limited had earlier denied association with the same consortium.
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