Philip Shaibu Recalls Tinubu’s Private Sector Initiatives During Current President’s Years As Governor Of Lagos State

The director-general of National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu has referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s days as Lagos State governor, during which he recalled how the country’s current number of citizen made the best of private intiiatives in promoting social development.

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Sports247 reports that Shaibu made the reference while speaking at a presentation ceremony of equipment from Japan to Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), which the former deputy governor of Edo State said was a good exaample of how the private sector can completement government efforts.

Shaibu, who is also the NIS’ chief executive officer, added that involvement of individuals, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations, social development agencies and embassies in supporting sports would bring significant improvements, national development and security to the country.

While also asserting that the development of sports activities and infrastructure cannot depend solely on government funding, Shaibu called for increased collaboration from the private sector and well-placed Nigerians to support further growth and transformation of the sector.

He spoke further about changes being effected at the NIS under his charge and revealed that many of the improvements were achieved through private sector partnerships, which were inspired by his observation of Tinubu’s style during his tenure as governor, with alternative funding to achieve progress

“I have consistently called for collaboration and support from the private sector in any form. Relying only on government funding, especially with the state of our infrastructure, is not sustainable

“Those who are making progress in sports should be encouraged, and others should emulate them by seeking support from the private sector.

That is exactly what we are doing at NIS, by bringing in private sector support to help reform the institute.

“We had to think outside the box and adopt the model of Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR when he was Governor of Lagos State without relying on federal allocation,” Shaibu submitted emphatically.