National Sports Festival: Obaseki, Shaibu, others tee off golf tourney …assures of plans to maintain sports facilities

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L-R: Former Captain, Benin Golf Club, Mr. Kingsley Okunbor; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., at the tee-off of the golf tournament for the National Sports Festival, Edo 2020, in Benin City, on Sunday, April 11, 2021.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of plans by the state government to maintain the world-class facilities used in hosting the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Edo 2020, in the state.

Obaseki said this when he teed-off the Edo 2020 golf tournament in Benin City, the state capital.

The governor was joined by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq. and the representative of the President of the Nigerian Golf Federation, Thaddeus Wilmen and other golfers, in Benin City.

Addressing journalists after teeing off the tournament, Obaseki said: “The purpose of the National Sports Festival is to bring men and women together in the spirit of oneness and unity so that they can have a common purpose. Our country needs healing, unity and a sense of purpose and that is why we are hosting the sports festival.”

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki teeing off the Edo 2020 golf tournament in Benin City, on Sunday, April 11, 2021.

“It is not necessary that we host and win. For us, we know we have all it takes but as sports men and women, we will let excellence prevail,” he added.

On the issue of sustainability of the world-class sports facilities in the state, Governor Obaseki noted: “There are tremendous changes in Edo today as regards how we maintain the structures and institutions. It has to do with the people, with capacity building and making sure you have the right processes and procedures.”

He continued: “Through the new hiring and recruitment ongoing in the Edo State Public and Civil Service, we are going to put in place not only the right people but also the right systems and institutions to sustain what we are doing. I am assuring Edo people that the facilities will be kept well. It is owned by Edo people and therefore we must have systems in place to ensure that they are maintained.”

“It will not only be the responsibility of the governor alone but the entire Edo people to ensure these facilities are maintained. We will ensure they are well maintained “.