Newstap/ SWAN Five Star Award: Shaibu, Olopade, Adeboye, others thumb up Gov Diri
Photo: L-R: His Excellency Philip Shaibu, presents Newstap/ SWAN award plaque to Governor Douye Diri who was represented by Bayelsa Sports Commissioner Daniel Igali. With them is Director General National Sports Commission (NSC) Hon. Bukola Olopade and Senior Special Adviser on grassroots sports to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prince Anthony Adeboye.
The accolades being received by the Governor of Bayelsa State Senator Douye Diri over his administration’s development of sports infrastructure in the state is growing every day with the latest one coming from the Director General of National Institute For Sports ( NIS), His Excellency Comrade Philip Shaibu, Director General of National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade and the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports, Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka.
The trio commended the governor for transforming sports infrastructure in the state which has led not only to the reduction of youth restiveness in the oil producing state but has positioned the state as one of the leading sports centres of excellence.
They gave their commendation last Friday during the second edition of the annual Newstap/ SWAN Five Star Award where the governor received the ‘Best Sports Governor Award’.
In their separate remarks, they described Governor Diri as a trail blazer in sports development in the country and hailed him for the hosting of various championships and the construction of the ongoing 25,000 capacity size Olympic stadium in the state.
According to them, the Newstap/SWAN Five Star Award given to the governor did not come as a surprise because he’s eminently qualified for the honour considering the transformation sports has gone through in his state.
“His award did not come to us as a surprise because this is a man that has used sports to create job opportunities for the youths, reduce youth restiveness and made the state a top podium finisher at the National Sports Festival and the Nigeria Delta Games”,
“Governor Diri since assumption of office has been sponsoring the annual Douye Diri Wrestling Championship and the Prosperity Cup and recently approved the hosting of a 10 kilometer Marathon in the state to be organized in partnership with Nilayo Sports Limited.
“In order to encourage athletes of the state to excel, his government has instituted a reward system for athletes which has led to the state performing well at both the National Sports Festival and the Nigeria Delta Games.
“His investment in sports infrastructure made the National Sports Commission to grant Bayelsa State the hosting right of the 2027 National Sports Festival. So, we are proud of his achievements and we urge other governors to emulate him”, they chorused.
The Newstap/ SWAN 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 Governor Diri are the DG/CEO National Institute for Sports (NIS) His Excellency Rt. Hon. Comrade Phillip Shaibu, Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Limited, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, Grassroots Football Promoter/ Philanthropist, Dr. Chief Robert Daniel Onyeani and Proprietor of Yacateco 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.
Governor Diri was represented at the event by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Sports Hon. Daniel Igali and the Chairman Bayelsa House of Assembly Committee On Sports, Hon. (Barrister) Tare Porri.
