Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has commended the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, for his remarkable contributions to revamping Nigerian sports.
During a visit to Hon. Olopade’s office in Abuja on Thursday, Shaibu described the DG’s appointment as a masterstroke, highlighting his expertise and vision as key to driving transformative change in the sector.
“Hon. Bukola’s wealth of experience as a sports administrator is exactly what Nigerian sports needs to achieve new heights,” Shaibu remarked, while also praising President Tinubu for prioritizing sports through the appointment.
Shaibu expressed his appreciation for the strategic shift towards making sports less reliant on government control, stating, “The domestication of sports through the National Sports Commission is a monumental step forward. Globally, sports thrive with minimal government interference, and this structure aligns perfectly with that model.”
He underscored the unique demands of sports management, adding, “Sports cannot be managed like any other government activity because of its dynamic nature. The NSC’s leadership marks a new era for Nigerian sports.”
Shaibu further highlighted the untapped potential of sports as a tool for economic growth and youth empowerment, describing it as “Nigeria’s next oil.”
“Sports have the power to tackle youth unemployment and significantly boost our economy. By investing in sports, we can take countless young boys and girls off the streets and empower them to build meaningful careers,” he said.
In response, Hon. Bukola Olopade thanked Comrade Shaibu for his unwavering dedication to sports development in Nigeria. He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to raising the standard of sports in the country, stating, “Our goal is to elevate Nigerian sports to the global stage. Together, we can unlock the full potential of this sector.”
With leaders like Hon. Olopade at the helm, the future of Nigerian sports looks brighter than ever.