Gôvernor Monday Okpebholo has expressed delight over Federal Government’s decision to establish the South-South Zonal Headquarters of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in the state.
Governor Okpebholo made this known on Wednesday when he received the Director-General of the NIS and former Deputy Governor of Edo, Comrade Philip Shaibu at the Government House in Benin
The governor described the development as a major milestone for grassroots sports and youth development in the region.
Okpebholo also noted that the decision to site the zonal headquarters in Edo was a “timely and strategic step” that would further position the state as a hub for sports development in Nigeria.
He urged the NIS to take its programme down to the grassroots, particularly in primary and secondary schools, to discover and nurture new talents.
He also commended President Tinubu’s bold decision to make sports a key pillar of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, Shaibu explained that the zonal structure was to decentralize sports training and manpower development across Nigeria.
He added that Edo would serve as the training hub for coaches, administrators, and elite athletes in the South-South region.
The visit came shortly after the governor inaugurated two key state bodies: Edo State Judicial Service Commission and the Governing Council of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.
The governor charged members of the bodies to uphold integrity and diligence in service to the state.
Speaking on behalf of both committees, Felix Imoisili, thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in them, promising to contribute meaningfully to Edo’s progress.
