A FUN FILLED GUINNESS MATCH DAY EVENT IN OWERRI by Kelechi Mejuobi

A FUN FILLED GUINNESS MATCH DAY EVENT IN OWERRI

The Concorde Road, leading to the Landmark Event Centre in New Owerri, Owerri, Imo State, has always worn the look of a reserved boulevard, believed to be exclusive for the rich in the society based on types of cars and personalities found on it regularly.

But, the location on Sunday, the last day of November, 2025 wore a different look, by witnessing an admixture of different categories of people. Majorly was an influx of relatively young men and women who dominated presence on the road leading to the classy Landmark Event Centre.

Enthusiastic youths, sporting trendy outlooks had formed clusters around the event centre ahead of the kick off time of the Owerri version of the Guinness Match Match Day show, scheduled at 3pm.

While the event hall was getting set for the show, the environment assumed an electrifying mood which turned frenzy for the Guinness consumers, for a greater part of the eventful evening.

Inside the hall was another beehive of activities with witnesses savouring the appetising environment; a chilled hall, large screen platforms for the matches, iced can drinks, assorted chops and chips with a conducive environment to be part of the Premier League groove.

Midway into the events of the day, spicy music was offered with an alluring hyper person engineering the mood for happy feelings.

Security of lives and property for all was top notch, prompting fans yelling for their darling teams when the London derby; Chelsea vs Arsenal got underway. The fans applauded each move of the two teams. But, it was highly noticed that the potpourri of fun-filled activities provided by Guinness at the Landmark Event Centre, subdued the tense mood associated with such Grade A clashes where anxiety is always at feverish pitch.

Suffice to note that it was not exclusively an event for the youths, as the old and children were part of the fun. Several families used the opportunity offered by the drink brand for their Sunday outings.

One of the highlights was the predict and win aspect where fans used a mechanism to predict scores, a qualification for prizes. Various prizes were won by lucky ones who went home with a degree of gifts.

A young lady who came with friends, named Tessy, informed this writer that it was a well spent evening. She appreciated the set up and praised Guinness for such an arrangement. Another young lady, Chika, confessed that the Owerri version of the Guinness Match Day speaks volumes of the excellence in the company’s customer outreach; a trademark of service delivery, Guinness is known for in the Nigeria beverage industry. “I didn’t expect anything less from Guinness” she started. “I got notice through friends on campus and I induced them for the show. We are not disappointed at the end. The fun is worth the time spent” she added.

Marcel Okorie who came with wife and children said it was a nice outing and wishes Guinness makes it a regular for Owerri residents each Sunday to enable him exploit as corridor for the family’s Sunday outings.

Speaking about the event, Ife Odederin, Category Lead, Senior Brand Manager for Guinness Trademark, Guinness Nigeria revealed that Guinness Match Day is a platform created and powered by Guinness Nigeria to give Nigeria football enthusiasts a different experience viewing live matches.

According to him, the Guinness Match Day event is designed to offer “an epic experience different from what others are offering. It’s different because apart from entertainment vibes and music, ice cold Guinness brand drinks are offered. These are targeted towards celebrating Nigerians passion for football”

Ife Odederin who spoke to this writer further informed that the Guinness Match Day show is designed to recognise and appreciate consumers who are passionate about football, especially the Premier League, Guinness is the official drink.

Asked if the show will be regular for residents of Owerri, the Senior Brand Manager opined that Guinness targets big matches for such events. “Periodically, we target high calibre matches for such. Like the one we did last week at Anchor Bar here in Owerri” He said that the objective is to get consumers to celebrate Guinness, adding that the brand was available at the event to render services to the consumers who are the focal point of the beverage outfit.

Judging from the smiles and body language of the consumers while leaving the premises at the end, it was obvious the event witnessed a happy ending. There were no reports of ugly incidents before, during and after as security operatives took charge to ensure effective departure of all.

Kelechi Mejuobi, is a regular columnist and co-founder, founder, editor of Trumpeta newspapers