Thenewsdesk.ng –
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, pastor Umo Bassey Eno P.hD, has identified with newly inducted coaches across the state by the National Institute for Sports (NIS),felicitating them on the successful completion of their course.
The governor’s compliment was put across on Wednesday, October 28, through a goodwill message during the graduation/certification ceremony of Executive Coaching Certificate (ECC) programme organized by the National Institute for Sport( NIS),in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association,held at the God’swill Akpabio International Stadium.
Governor Eno who was represented at the event by the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, charged the graduating coaches to make the best of the experience they have been exposed to and better the football ecosystem beyond Akwa Ibom State.
“To the 107 participants of the programme who today have become graduands, I say congratulations.
“Take advantage of the knowledge that have been impacted in you to go out there and improve the football ecosystem,not only in Akwa Ibom State but across Nigeria “.
The Governor seized the medium to laud the transformative strides at the institute under the watch of the current Director General/CEO, His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
He maintained that the Institute’s reforms aptly aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu while equally resonating with the ARISE Agenda of the state, with sports as a pivotal component.
The effects, according to the governor,informed the unbundling of a previously merged Youth/Sports sector to create a standalone Ministry of Sports, with a veteran sports administrator, Elder Paul Bassey,as the pioneer commissioner.
Speaking of the benefits vis-a-vis the development the governor said: “we are reaping already from the investment in sports equipment,reviving the state sports festival,instituting a reward culture which inspires the youths and challenges their dedication and performance”.
Governor Eno further spoke with glowing pride about the choice of Akwa Ibom among the first states to benefit from the sports Institute’s expansion of its offices across geopolitical zones in the country, adding that the state Sports Academy project will upscale efforts to hone talents for better outputs in the sports sector.
While commending the collaboration of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association with Raytiding Consulting Limited to ensure the success of the programme,he also praised the sponsorship intervention of public spirited individuals for some of the coaches who underwent the course.
Earlier in his opening remark,the Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shaibu,had described the graduation as historical for the graduates and the state,as they constitute the first test run of the newly introduced 8 weeks basic course programme, after 52 years of NIS existence.
“This is another feather to the government, the graduates and to the FA of Akwa Ibom State ,because this programme was actually supposed to start in Lagos. But now from here we are going to Lagos…”
Comrade Shaibu said the programme came in line with President Tinubu’s charge upon his appointment, to rejig the sports sector with positive effects down to the grassroots as is encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.
According to Shaibu,the mandate has so far birthed branches of NIS in six geopolitical zones in the country, with arrangements ongoing to establish state offices,which Akwa Ibom is projected to emerge one by next January.
He charged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the institute by growing the experience they have acquired in young talents in their care. According to him, with sound programmes as the institute is offering, Nigeria does not need to look outside for excellent players as the coaches at the grassroots should now be able to produce them.
“You that are graduating today should be able to change that narrative going forward” , Comrade Shaibu said.
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