…beneficiary promises to make Shaibu happy.
Days after getting the promise of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu to personally finance his trip to the African Junior Chess Championship in Algeria, 20-year-old Chess sensation, Idara Emmanuel has been handed the sponsorship package.
The young chess player at a chance meeting with the Deputy Governor on Friday, October 21, 2022, got the favour from the sports-loving number two man of Edo State. Shaibu who was on an unscheduled visit to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin met with Idara after Mrs Sabina Chikere casually introduced the star player to him. The audience granted him turned out to be a great favour.
10 days later, Idara, a 300-level student of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Benin smiled home from the Edo State Government House when he was informed that the promise made to him by Shaibu had been fulfilled and available for pick up
After receiving the package, the highly elated Idara thanked the Deputy Governor for the gesture and promised not to disappoint him and the state at the championship which kicks off on November 12, in Algeria.
Idara Emmanuel
“I’m very glad and I sincerely appreciate the gesture of the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu.”
“I’m very grateful and I will do my possible best to do him and the state proud.”
“I will not go there to disappoint the state and I promise to do my best for the state.”
The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere after presenting the cash to Idara said this is something to be happy about as it demonstrates the sports-loving Deputy Governor’s feelings towards sports development.
“It’s something to be happy about, it equally shows what the Deputy Governor feels about sports as a sports personality. He’s a blessing to the sports industry and I will enjoin all and sundry in the Commission to key into his vision.”
“Comrade Shaibu wants to take sports to the next level and that’s why we are intentional about grassroots development in the state, bringing out the raw talents in them.”
“This gesture by his Excellency is something to be happy about and try to make sports great again in the state.”
Idara receives a handshake from the p
Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs. Sabina Chikere
“As for Idara, he’s going out from Edo State and should know what he’s going out there for – meaning he should go all out there and make Edo proud.”
“We are happy and thankful to his Excellency for this and we promise him in the Sports Commission that we will not relent but keep going higher and aspire to meet his expectations higher in sports.”
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa however reemphasized that the sponsorship is not a state sponsorship, but a personal sponsorship by the sports-loving Deputy Governor.
Idara receives a handshake from the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa
“I want to place on record that this is not an official sponsorship, but a personal one on the part of the state’s Deputy Governor.”
“He deemed it fit to assist him when nobody was coming to his aid to ensure that his talent is not wasted.”
“When the news got to him he was so elated and said he was going to fully sponsor the trip, so I wish we all could appreciate the Deputy Governor.”
Idara Emmanuel receiving his sponsorship package
Idara Emmanuel qualified for the 8-day tournament after his accumulated performances for the year were recognized by the host and the Federation.
The tournament in conjunction with the FIDE Arbiter’s Seminar kicks off on 12th November and ends on the 20th November 2022, in Bejaia, Algeria.