By Adadainfo
Mr Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State, weekend, formally retired from pofessional football shortly after assisting his clubside Bendel Insurance FC to secure a ticket to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
Shaibu disclosed his exit from active football in a press conference immediately after the match between Insurance and Vandrezzer FC of Lagos, which was the last game of the season.
Our correspondent reports that the Benin club won the week 22 match by a lone goal to end the 2021/2022 soccer season. The match held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. The victory was greeted with jubilation by home fans.
Shaibu thanked the state government, board members and fans of the club for their support and prayers which enabled the return of the Benin warriors to the NPFL.
The deputy governor said, “I am excited that in good health, I am retiring from professional football. I thank the stakeholders in Bendel Insurance for this historic moment of retiring with jersey number 40.
“It’s first of its kind. I am excited and happy about it. I’m more elated that my commitment to rebranding Bendel Insurance yielded the desired result.”
Shaibu’s football career spanned from Federal Capital Territory side YSFON U-20, Foreign Affairs FC, and the defunct Ijesha United and Nigerian Prisons FC.
Recall that the deputy governor won a gold medal for Edo during the 20th National Sports Festival.
“We praise Shaibu’s commitment to the club, not minding that he is our deputy governor,” Osagie Oyeme, a fan, said.
For Isemi Uyo, a supporter of Insurance, “I want the deputy governor to be directly in charge of the club in terms administration. Through him, Coach Monday Osagie’s boys won’t lack anything. It is good the club is back to NPFL. Our target is continental.”
