By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, Monday paid a surprise visit to former Bendel Insurance FC Technical Adviser, Coach Alabi Aisien, even as he extolled his virtues as an experienced soccer tactician, imbued with sterling leadership qualities.
The Deputy Governor described the veteran football coach as an elder statesman whose life, expertise and vast experience in the round leather game was a source of pride and inspiration to the younger generation.
The sports-loving Deputy Governor recounted with excitement his first meeting with Coach Alabi Aisien, asserting that “it was when l was given the assignment to take charge of sports and drive the transformation of the sector, particularly repositioning our darling football club, Bendel lnsurance FC and Edo Queens, respectively”.
“I remember our first meeting when we were at the wilderness, looking for the best possible route to take. We came seeking for your opinion, looking at football holistically. We started with football, by tapping from the wisdom of those who started the job and learning from their past experiences”.
“While we were searching for consultants, your name was first mentioned. We eventually came to you, pleading with you to make yourself available for us. You obliged and came on board as the Technical Adviser . I am sure today, you are very proud that football in Edo State, has attained a glorious level in Nigeria”.
“Knowing that for the first time in Nigerian football, a club ran an unbeatable season in the Nigeria Premier League. That was only possible with Bendel Insurance of Benin”.
Edo Queens is also one of the strongest teams in the Nigerian Women Football League and for any team to come against them, it requires extra training to defeat Edo Queens. This was made possible because we had legends like you who were there for consultations”.
“This is also a message to our teeming youth population to always tap from the experiences of our elders. I pray God grants you good health and long life, so that we can always come to tap from your wisdom”, Shaibu added.
Speaking earlier, Coach Alabi Aisien went down memory lane, while reeling out his exploits and the honours he brought to Nigerian football.
He recalled when in 1979, Ava Lac, FIFA Chief, visited Nigeria to watch his match, returned to Zurich and awarded two additional slots for the African continent to be represented at the World Cup. That’s why we have five African team representatives at the World Cup today”.
“Nobody remembered what I did for Nigeria, except the former Governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola and your very good self, my own boss, Philip Shaibu”.
“I will never forget in a hurry; I have told my children and my grandchildren what you have done for me. I value you so much. For you to be here again now, I will also tell my children. If I cannot thank you, they will thank your children. God bless you”.
I took football round this country and I came back. I just noticed that you can hardly please those you cannot please. Among these people, you are among the few who could remember yesteryears and appreciate what was done”.
“What you have done in this State is not just bringing football or sports back to the basics, you removed tensions from homes, you removed miscreants from the streets, you did a lot to make people feel comfortable through sports”.
“In football itself, you did something that is still missing in the entire country today. You believed in culture building into sports, and that is why we have good players at the national level, but we don’t have a team based on culture and scientific know-how”.
“You are the only person I have seen working in that direction. Someday, sometimes, God willing, l will be happy to sit down with you to discuss sports generally for a greater tomorrow”.
“I thank you so much for your love for me and my family. It is in your character and l promise to retaliate this gesture of your visit to my house.l pray God will bless you”, Coach Alabi Aisien added.
