By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu will today be conferred with yet another award in sports, the ‘Special Achievements and Recognition Award’, by the Nigeria Olympic Association (NOA).
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa, noted that the award is in recognition of Shaibu’s contributions to sports development, particularly football in Nigeria.
According to the CPS, the Deputy Governor will be formally decorated on Thursday (today) at the NOA’s Award and Gala Night ceremony taking place at the prestigious Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, at 6pm.
“A letter to the Deputy Governor, dated May 25, 2023, conveying the award and signed by the General Secretary of NOA, says it was in recognition of his contributions and achievements to sports development in Nigeria,” the CPS explained.
In his acceptance letter, the Deputy Governor was quoted as saying: “My decision to accept the award is predicated on the credibility and core values your highly esteemed association represents in promoting sports excellence in Nigeria.”
Shaibu, dubbed “the sports-loving Deputy Governor”, is a recipient of various sport-related awards by several credible sports organisations and professional bodies, in recognition of his sterling performances and contributions to sports development.
For instance, under Shaibu’s tutelage, Bendel Insurance Football Club of Edo recently qualified for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Rangers International Football Club of Enugu one nil to lift their 4th FA Cup after 43 years.
