Newstap/SWAN Five Star Award, an endorsement of my reform programme- Shaibu

Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu has described his recent Newstap/ SWAN Five Star award as an evidence that the reforms he is carrying out in the institute is being recognized by stakeholders in the country’s sports sector.

He stated this last Friday at the Blessing Hall of the iconic Eko Club, Surulere when he received his award alongside other awardees.

According to him, when he resumed office after being appointed by Mr. President, he met an institute that was virtually non existent and immediately began introducing some reforms to reposition the school which made some staff not to be happy with him.
“When I resumed office, I met an institute where nothing works. Some members of staff were about losing their jobs because of incompetence and I immediately moved into action, introducing some reforms that will change people’s perception about the school.
“Some members of staff were not comfortable with the changes I introduced but am happy that today even those staff that were about loosing their jobs are now integrated fully into the new look NIS and this award is a testament that we’ re on the right track.”
The NIS helmsman while commending the organizers for recognizing what he has done within a short period of time to be considered for the award noted that the decision to establish six zonal offices for the institute is in line with the charge given to him by Mr. President to turn around the fortune of the only coaching institution in the country.

“The six zonal offices we have created is in line with the mandate given to me by Mr. President to turn around the fortune of the moribund school. I must thank the host Governors of the six zonal offices who have graciously given us accommodation for the take off of the offices which has made our job easy.
“What we’re doing is that by the time we leave office, we must have an institute whose products can compete with the products of German, Australian and Hungarian sports institutes and that’s why we are not going back on the reforms,” he declared.
The Newstap/ Five Star Award was instituted to recognize and honour individuals and organisations who have dedicated their time and resources in moving the country’s sports forward.
Those who received the award alongside Comrade Philip Shaibu are the Governor of Bayelsa State Senator Douye Diri, Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, Grassroots Football Promoter/ Philanthropist, Dr. Robert Daniel Onyeani and Proprietor of Yucateco Boxing Promotions who also doubles as Vice President of Nigeria Boxing Federation, Hon. Omolei Yakubu Imadu while the President General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo received a special recognition award.