The Director General of the National Institute for Sports and immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, in what was an emotional visit to his academic root, Sardauna Memorial College, Kaduna, reflected on how the school shaped the future he’s living in now, platinumnewsng.com is informed
Shaibu, on the memorable visit, sat at the exact position he once occupied, a seat made of wood as it was back then, though different from the actual one he sat in for a few moments, flashed back to what life was back then as a young, promising and intelligent student.
The ageing classrooms and simple learning environment spoke volumes. They reflected a system where discipline mattered, character was enforced and resilience was built long before ambition found expression.
In those modest surroundings, education was not about comfort but about moulding the mind and strengthening resolve.
Shaibu’s interaction with the school leadership was relaxed and personal, marked by shared laughter and thoughtful pauses. It was a moment revealing a larger truth about leadership.
The path to public service and national responsibility is gradual and rooted in experiences that test patience, shape values and instil humility.
From Sardauna Memorial College emerged a student who would later rise to serve as Deputy Governor of the heartbeat of Nigeria —Edo State and now leads the National Institute for Sports at a critical time in Nigeria’s sports development.
His return to the school serves as a message to students and educators alike that great journeys often begin in quiet places.
Beyond titles and offices, the visit highlighted gratitude — to teachers who enforced standards, to an institution that demanded discipline, and to an environment that believed in the power of education to shape destiny.
In returning to where it all began, Philip Shaibu reaffirmed a simple but powerful message. “No matter how far one goes, the roots remain, and they matter.”