… Prayed God to guide Shaibu in new role
By Bernadette Idalu
The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa on Sunday, June 22, felicitated and graced the thanksgiving Mass of his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, as he thanked God for his national appointment as the Director General, National Institute For Sports (NIS) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 24, 2025.
Idahosa was one of the guests at the thanksgiving Mass, concelebrated by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Omogiate and his assistant, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City.
Fielding questions from pressmen, Idahosa stated that he was in church to felicitate his predecessor in government, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, on his new appointment by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We are indeed grateful for what God has done. We will continue to thank God on his behalf, because, he has served our state. And now, God has given him the opportunity to serve the nation. We will continue to pray for him, for a successful journey.”
The former Edo State deputy governor, and current Director General, NIS, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu thanked Idahosa for his thoughtfulness and goodwill for according him the honour with his physical attendance at Mass.
Shaibu, who was visibly elated, channeled a message of appreciation, through Idahosa, to the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo. He assured Okpebholo of his determination to be a good ambassador of Edo State, even in his new role as the Director General of NIS which offers him a rare opportunity to contribute to the “renewed hope agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shaibu said he would try his best to rejuvenate sports in Nigeria through policies that promote growth and participation in sporting activities. This, he said, was to ensure that the reason for setting up the NIS is achieved.
