As fans of Bendel Insurance at home and in the diaspora are registering their utmost excitement after confirming their return to the Nigeria Professional Football League after three years of absence, the Edo State Deputy Governor had also revealed what the promotion means to him.
In a thirty-five minutes post Football career conference held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City of Edo State, Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu disclosed the hidden details about his person as a footballer and an athlete.
“Ororo 1” as fondly called announced his retirement from active football on Friday, August 12, 2022, at newly promoted Bendel Insurance’s slim win over Vandrezzer FC of Lagos.
Shaibu who shared thoughts with over a hundred present journalists said he cherishes the Bendel Insurance promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League more than any other achievements he has had in sports.
The ‘Digital Deputy Governor ‘ said the gold medal he won at the National Sports Festival with team Edo men’s football side is special to him, but the Insurance promotion occupies the highest part of his heart in terms of sports achievement.
“Both are the same, but different feelings – for the National Sports Festival, though I’m happy we won it because it added to the state’s medal and me, the gold is personal.”
“For Bendel Insurance going to the NPFL, as Segun Odegbami said, Bendel Insurance is a mass movement, it’s beyond the people of the state (Benin, Edo), it’s indeed a mass movement! I remember a journalist from Sokoto once called me to ask when Insurance will be back in the NPFL and many other people like that who are not from Edo.”
“So in terms of rating, I rate the promotion way above the gold medal because the promotion is taking Edo back to where it is supposed to be, so for me, the Bendel Insurance promotion is golden.”
Bendel Insurance are back in the top tier of the Nigeria football league after accruing 49 points in 22 games