Bendel Insurance fans hinge club’s resurgence on Shaibu

SOME fans of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City have applauded the state’s former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, for his contributions to sports development in the state, saying that he was instrumental to the resurgence of the Benin Arsenal in Nigerian football, Shaibu was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday morning after a long political faceoff with Governor Godwin Obaseki. But somebendel Insurance’s fans feel the good work Shaibu did, particularly for the club and Edo Queens, as well as his general contributions to the welfare of sportsmen and women in the state should not be discarded.

Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Simon Ekathor, a supporter of Bendel Insurance FC, said that he would forever remain grateful to Shaibu for ensuring that “football came home to Edo State”.

“I won’t join those who are celebrating the impeachment of our Deputy Governor Phillip Shuaibu,” Ekathor said. “Rather, I will implore all well- meaning Edo indigenes to o see the man ( Shuaibu) as God sent to revive, ive, not only Bendel Insurance, but also Edo o Queens and other sports associations. “I still remember the dark days in our sports, when the late Brown Ebewele and Chief Ekhosuehi were invited to the House use of Assembly over the lingering crisis in Bendel del Insurance FC. The crisis raged from the tenure re of Prof. Oserheimenosunbor to that of Adams ms Oshiomhole. “They did everything within their heir power to return Bendel Insurance FC to the he good old days without success. But Shiabu came me and within a short period, he used his political cal goodwill to revive the club. Today, Bendel Insurance FC is among the top football clubs bs in Nigeria and Africa. I am not trying to paint other politicians in bad light, but we must give credit redit to whom it is due,” Ekathor stated.