…on His Birthday
It was glitz and glamour Thursday at the Benin palatial private residence of Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, as was treated to a surprise birthday bash by management and staff, at the Office of the Deputy Governor, in celebration of his 53rd birthday anniversary.
The Chief of Staff, Hon. Imonofi lnusa and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bose Joy lgbinobaro, led staff and political appointees of the office in laying ‘siege’ to the Deputy Governor’s residence, while Shaibu was playing in a golf tournament organized in his honour by the Golf Section of the Benin Golf Club on his birthday anniversary.
No sooner the Deputy Governor arrived at his residence in the GRA from the golf tournament, than the staff ‘swarmed’ on him, chanting birthday songs amidst dancing to music by professional flute and trumpet players.
The tee-off of the golf tournament in Shaibu’s honour was earlier performed by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki.
The CoS, Office of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Imonofi lnusa proposed a birthday toast for the celebrant.
There were goodwill messages from the staff, friends and political associates of the Deputy Governor. They were unanimous in eulogizing him as a father figure, humanist and visionary leader whose quest to touch lives positively was legendary while praying for God’s guidance and protection for his family.
In her goodwill message, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Bose Joy Igbinobaro, described Shaibu as “a compassionate boss with a heart of gold whose nature and character long to always put smiles on the faces of others”.
“The Deputy Governor is a selfless and sacrificial leader who’s accessible and he is there for everybody. No wonder, he’s so blessed by God Almighty with a loving, caring wife and wonderful family. Sir, God Almighty will grant your heart desires and you will go higher than your present position in Jesus’ name”.
The grand celebration also featured prayer sessions for the State’s number two citizen and his family.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor noted that the birthday party was a surprise package for him while expressing delight at the show of love by the staff of his office.
According to him, ” I’m not really a birthday celebration person. You people decided to ambush me in this manner. It’s okay and l feel so elated for this surprise package”.
“For me, one thing is clear. When you see me drive people to perform their duties as expected, l may be hard on them but the reason is that I want them to be the best in whatever they are doing”.
“We cannot be together like this forever. So, I intend that by the time I leave the office and maybe, you are posted to another place, l expect that you will be able to do excellently well in your new place. The Nigeria we are today requires that we must be on top of our game to survive the tough times”, Shaibu added.
The high point of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant and Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, ably assisted by his amiable wife, Comrade Mrs. Maryann Philip-Shaibu amidst pomp and cheers.