…for emerging league champions.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has reiterated his administration’s commitment to offering the best support for the state’s men’s football club, Bendel Insurance FC. The state-owned club emerged champions of the Second Division at the just concluded Super Four in Bayelsa State. It also got a promotion to the elite Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Governor Obaseki disclosed this on Thursday morning at a breakfast meeting in honor of the management and players of Bendel Insurance.
Last Saturday, the team emerged winners of the Group B1 Southern Group of the 2021/22 Nigerian National League (NNL) with 49 points and overall champions of the NNL Super 4 with 7 points after defeating Bayelsa United, Doma United and picking a draw against El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.
In his congratulatory and appreciation speech, the Governor commended them for lifting the state’s name through their progression.
He charged the team to keep the spirit up while assuring them of the state government’s continuous support, including the construction of a new permanent stadium.
“I must appreciate the Deputy Governor, he’s so passionate about Insurance and Edo Queens and when you see somebody like that you have to appreciate him.”
“Because you have played your role, we as the government will reward you. We will give you a permanent stadium and the Deputy Governor is already on it.”
For your remuneration, I will work with the Deputy Governor to make sure we increase your remuneration in a good manner.”
“Unfortunately, Nigeria cannot make it to this year’s World Cup, but I see many of you playing in the next world Cup.”
“You have helped us in lifting the state’s name, we will reward you handsomely.”
Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor who retired as Bendel Insurance captain in the 2021/2022 season thanked the governor for his input and for setting the task to revive Bendel Insurance. Shaibu recounted the successes of the club so far, ranging from welfare to gaining sponsorship and the sustainable structure already in motion.
“The Governor gave his Deputy, Philip Shaibu a big task to restore the lost glory of Bendel Insurance which I also gave as a task to the management of the team. The task is to build a very strong football team, for now, tomorrow, and in the future. Not a team just for the Politics or shine for today without being consistent, but a formidable team that also would be attractive for investors to come for sustainability.”
“For that, we had to adopt a system that we are known for a particular style of football that is attractive and consistent.”
“In achieving this, we have to be at the number one league in Nigeria where the likes of Rangers, Enyimba, 3SC, and Akwa United are.”
“One consistent thing is that the government has been doing its part in kitting the team. Insurance is the best in terms of kit management, Insurance is the only club in Nigeria that does not owe players – as we speak, for the past four years, we have been consistent and just as in our plans all their bonuses are paid as at when due it’s an incentive to win which we have been consistent with for the past four years.”
“Bendel Insurance has one of the best feeder teams in Nigeria and they have been winning laurels. In the last AITEO CUP, the main team and the feeders got to the second round of the tournament – now we have a feeder where players graduate to the senior team.”
“We are happy that we have delivered, though we are still a work in progress and the next step is for us to be sustainable, not just to win, but with a system to sustain ourselves.”