The chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has emphasised the significance of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in fulfilling the Commission’s vision to reset, reform, and relaunch Nigerian sports.
Dikko made these remarks while welcoming the new director-general of NIS, Comrade Philip Shaibu, to the NSC Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Comrade Shaibu, a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, visited the NSC Headquarters to inform the Chairman of his resumption and engage in discussions about how to advance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope vision for sports development.
Dikko expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Comrade Shaibu.
He stated, “I must sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for once again taking the road less travelled with this appointment. The President is embarking on a reform, resetting many sectors, including sports, which necessitates decisions that will drive this vision. Comrade Shaibu’s appointment is one of those decisions that will genuinely support the ongoing reforms in the sports sector.”
Dikko highlighted the pivotal role of NIS in the current sporting landscape. “The NIS is fundamental to our vision within the Commission as it will provide us with the manpower and research needed to accelerate our objectives. We are approaching things differently because only those who are unwise continue to do the same things and expect different results. Therefore, it is gratifying that the President has chosen an administrator who has excelled in all his previous roles and has now been strategically positioned to ensure that the NIS meets its intended mandate within the sports sector. The President has appointed three capable friends to hold three critical positions to revitalise sports in Nigeria,” he remarked.
Mallam Dikko also expressed confidence that Comrade Shaibu would succeed in his new role. “All I can say is welcome to the family. You have been part of this family before, but now you are a key part of the NSC vision. I am certain that the President will be pleased with the outcomes, as you have consistently exceeded expectations in your assignments.
We must collaborate to fulfil our mandate.
We have discussed privately, aligned our visions and thoughts, and articulated how we will collectively deliver on the President’s mandate,” he concluded.
Earlier, Comrade Shaibu pledged his commitment to the NSC Chairman in realising the Presidential mandate.
“I have come to inform the NSC Chairman that I have resumed. I have had discussions with him, and it is evident that sports is heading in the right direction in this country. We will work diligently to ensure that the President’s renewed hope vision is evident in the sporting sector,” he enthused.
