Edo State is set to host the South South zonal headquarters of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), a development Governor Monday Okpebholo has described as a major milestone for grassroots sports growth and youth development in the region.
Gov. Okpebholo made this known when he received the Director General of the NIS and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, and his team on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.
The visit came shortly after the governor inaugurated two key state bodies, the Edo State Judicial Service Commission and the governing council of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.
Welcoming the NIS delegation, Gov. Okpebholo praised President Bola Tinubu for his strong commitment to youth and sports development, describing the decision to site the zonal headquarters of the NIS in the state as a timely and strategic step.
Gov. Okpebholo expressed delight over the decision to establish the NIS South-South zonal headquarters in Edo, saying it would further position the state as a hub for sports development in Nigeria.
He said: “I want to congratulate the Edo people for the zonal office that is coming to our state. Even if you were not the director general of the NIS, I know you would still have fought for it.
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He urged the NIS to take its programmes down to the grassroots, particularly to primary and secondary schools, to discover and nurture new sporting talents.
Earlier, Philip Shaibu congratulated Gov. Okpebholo on his one-year anniversary in office, and commended his developmental strides, including the revival of the New Edo Line and ongoing infrastructural projects across the state.
He explained that the zonal structure of the NIS aims to decentralize sports training and manpower development across Nigeria, adding that Edo State will serve as the training hub for coaches, administrators, and elite athletes in the South-South region.
He said: “Similar zonal offices are being established in Enugu for the South-East, Kaduna for the North-West, Adamawa for the North-East, and Plateau for the North-Central
“Under President Tinubu, we’ve hosted several international events, and the president has strengthened the reward system for athletes. The president has redefined sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment and national development.”
In a related development, Gov. Okpebholo inaugurated the Edo State Judicial Service Commission and the governing council of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, charging members to uphold integrity and diligence in service to the state.
The governing council of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, is chaired by Samuel Oboh, with Abdul Oyakhire, Isibor Osaremen, Igbinadolor Osamede, Louis Okojie, Anthony Atogwe, and Doris Braimah as members.
Members of the Edo State Judicial Service Commission include Felix Imoisili, Prof. David Osifo, Omozogie Ighekpe, and Usman Dauda.
