The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Wednesday March 4, inspected key facilities in Jos, Plateau State, ahead of the commencement of academic activities at the newly established North Central Zonal Centre scheduled for April.
Shaibu was accompanied by the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, as part of efforts to assess the readiness of the centre following the official handover of operational documents to the state government earlier in the week.
Speaking shortly after the inspection, Shaibu expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness and the quality of infrastructure available for take-off.
“I am happy that the Commissioner for Youth and Sports is here with me. We were with the Governor of Plateau State yesterday, and he directed that we carry out an inspection of the facilities,” Shaibu said.
He described the first facility visited as impressive and critical to the successful establishment of the zonal office in the North Central region.
“The first facility we saw here blew our minds because we knew we needed something like this to kick-start the zonal office in the North Central. This facility is key to the survival of the NIS here. The hostel accommodation is already close to the facility, and the hall here will serve as a lecture hall and multipurpose event centre. We truly appreciate this gesture,” he added.
Shaibu also revealed that discussions with Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang had included the need for specialised sports personnel, particularly physiotherapists.
“The Governor remarked yesterday about the state lacking in physiotherapists. It has been difficult to get one, but now that NIS is here, one of the curriculum changes we have introduced is the inclusion of Physiotherapy in our programme. It will be part of the academic offerings at the North Central Zonal Centre in Plateau State,” he explained.
According to him, the introduction of physiotherapy and paramedics programmes is aimed at addressing existing gaps in sports science and medical support within the state and the region at large.
“With the NIS kicking off its programmes by April, physiotherapy classes will be available here in Plateau. We will also be running paramedics programmes. Plateau people should take up the challenge and apply for these programmes,” Shaibu urged.
In his remarks, the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, described the establishment of the NIS zonal centre in Plateau as a historic and emotional moment for the state.
“We are blessed to have the DG, who is also a son of the soil, even though his origin is from Edo State. Siting this zonal institute in Plateau State is a sign that he is giving back to his home,” Ashoms said.
He expressed confidence that the presence of the NIS in Plateau would significantly enhance the technical capacity of coaches and sports administrators in the state.
“We are excited that NIS is coming to Plateau. We are very sure it will raise the bar of coaching skills among our people and expose us to sports in very different ways. As a government and as a people, we are truly elated and cannot wait for the zonal office to kick off,” he stated.
Ashoms disclosed that staff had already been deployed by the NIS management to ensure a smooth take-off and commended Governor Mutfwang for his cooperation and support toward the project.
Reflecting on Shaibu’s track record in public service, the commissioner highlighted his diverse leadership experience, describing him as a transformative figure in Nigerian sports administration.
“Within a short period at the NIS, we have seen significant changes and progress. These are the kinds of leadership we pray for as a country. We are happy that he has brought this kind of leadership to Plateau State,” Ashoms said.
He added that the state government and its sports community are eager to leverage Shaibu’s wealth of experience to reposition the sporting climate in Plateau.
The North Central Zonal Centre and other zonal centres of the NIS are expected to commence academic activities in April, marking a major step in the decentralisation and revitalisation of the Institute under Shaibu’s leadership.
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