… warns against indiscriminate use of stadia for social events
The Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has stated the importance of accountability and reforms in Nigeria’s sports administration, saying those appointed to manage the sector must justify the confidence reposed in them by President Bola Tinubu.
The NIS boss, who made the remarks while playing host to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents’ Chapel, said it is high time those entrusted with leadership roles in sports administration live up to expectations, work to improve the sector rather than exploit it.
“We need to give back to sports, not take from it. I can assure you that I will not be here as one of the sports managers and allow the old order to continue. Whenever there are abnormalities in sports, I will speak about them, write about them and stop those involved at all costs. I am here not to take from sports but to give my best back to it,” Shaibu stated.
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According to him, the President had given a clear mandate for Nigeria’s sports institutions to become centres of excellence capable of positioning the country as a dominant force in global competitions, as he urged Nigerians to hold sports administrators accountable for their performance rather than blaming the President for any shortcomings in the sector.
“If we fail in this mission, it is not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that failed. It is those of us appointed to run sports, Shehu Dikko, Olopade, Philip Shaibu and the various presidents of sports federations.
“If Nigeria’s sports do not perform well, don’t call the President, call us, the appointees, to account. In football, call the President of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau; in basketball, call Musa Kida. They are responsible for making their teams better.”
Speaking on the role of the media, Shaibu acknowledged the importance of journalists in strengthening democratic accountability, noting that the responsibility of keeping the public informed remains crucial. He added that a strong and responsible media is vital for the survival of democracy.
“You are journalists. You write what you see and know. That is why some people are afraid to open their offices to you. When they do, and you see what is happening, you will write about it. If democracy fails, journalists will be among the first casualties,” he said.
Shaibu reiterated his position that the use of the main bowl of national stadiums across the country for political rallies and religious programmes must stop in order to preserve the facilities for sporting activities.
