Newly appointed Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, has reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to producing world-class athletes and coaches.
Shaibu made the pledge upon formally resuming duty at the NIS headquarters in Lagos, where he was warmly received by top management officials. The former Deputy Governor of Edo State held a familiarisation meeting with staff and received handover notes from his predecessor, Professor Morolayo Fasakin.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Assistant, Ben Ogbemudia, Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, promising to discharge his duties with diligence and integrity in alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I have come to work with you, guided by the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the mandate given to the institute,” he told staff during a separate meeting in Abuja.
He stressed the need for transformation in Nigeria’s sports sector, noting that the institute must rise to meet international standards in training athletes, coaches and para-medical personnel.
“We must wake up and fulfil our responsibilities. We will train coaches, athletes and para-medics for international standards,” he said.
Shaibu also pledged to lead by example, build strategic partnerships and foster a spirit of teamwork within the institute, adding that excellence in sports training was crucial to Nigeria’s global competitiveness in athletics.
(NAN)