The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has officially handed over operational documents for the North Central Zonal Office of the Institute to Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
The ceremony, which took place in Jos, Plateau State capital, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing revitalisation and expansion of the Institute across the country.
Speaking during the visit, the DG said, “I am happy to be back in Plateau again. For me, it is a homecoming. I am also delighted that after 52 years of establishing the NIS, under my stewardship, the Institute is now in Plateau State.
While noting that the expansion of the NIS beyond its traditional base was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said the Institute was originally established in Lagos and had remained largely centralised, with only the Athletes Development Centre in Abuja added over the years.
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He added,“It is not a coincidence that after 52 years, we are now moving from Lagos to Abuja and to the six geopolitical zones for the establishment of zonal offices of the NIS. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu broke the bureaucracy and gave me the mandate to bring the NIS back to life and restore its core mandate.”
He explained that the original vision for the NIS was to establish centres across states in the federation, but little progress had been made after the initial setup in Lagos and Abuja until the current administration intervened. He commended the Governor for his commitment to sports development in Plateau State saying he’s aware of the governor’s interest in sports including the stadium project and broader investments in the sector.
“When I compared your agenda for sports development with that of Mr. President, using sports for empowerment and economic diversification, I saw great similarities.
“We have seen what you have been doing for Plateau United and sports generally. This evening, we are here to formally hand over the NIS document of engagement to Plateau State as the North Central Zonal Office. I am proud to be part of this history, and I am glad it is happening during your tenure as governor,” Shaibu concluded.
Governor Mutfwang, while welcoming the NIS delegation, remarked, “As I said earlier, welcome back home, because I know this is a homecoming for you. I am glad you are associated with the University of Jos and that you are an alumnus. Thank you for remembering home.
“When I first heard you were appointed, I asked, ‘NIS? Is it not dead?’ But what you have been able to achieve in less than a year is a testament to what young and energetic leaders like you can contribute to this country,” he said.
The governor congratulated Shaibu for his foresight and commended him for selecting Plateau State as the North Central Zonal Centre of the NIS.
“Plateau is the home of athletes. There is no better place to train than Plateau because of its altitude,” the governor added.
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