By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to build a permanent stadium, hostels and other facilities as part of a new camp for Bendel Insurance Football Club for being crowned the 2022 champions of the Nigerian National League.
He made the promise on Thursday, November 24, 2022, when he received the new NNL champions, officials and supporters’ club, in Government House, Benin City.
The promise was consequent upon the Club’s emergence as champions of the NNL and gaining promotion to the Nigerian Professional Football League.
The Governor, who commended the team for the victory, pledged his administration’s continuous support to the Club’s development and welfare.
“You have done your own bit. At least you’ve shown that Bendel Insurance is coming back to where it truly belongs. But we are not there yet. We still need to do a lot.
“But because you have done your own, we as government must continue to support and encourage you.”
“We must begin to look at how to build a permanent stadium for you and hostels and other facilities for camping you. That, we will work with the Deputy Governor to make sure we commence immediately after the budget is passed”, he added.
In the same vein, Mr Obaseki also spoke on the need for sponsorships to make the club self-sustaining.
He commented: “For us to sustain what we are doing, and where we want to go, we cannot continue to rely on government.
“Our goal is to present you to the world, show how good you are so that businesses, corporates can now begin to invest in you and in Bendel Insurance. That means we must drive more sponsorships.
“We have plans to do so, but you also have to help by making sure that you retain your position in the league and aspire to become the number one club in the league.”
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, expressed his gratitude to relevant stakeholders of the Club and the team for the victory.
“The emphasis is not just winning, but to have a very strong, formidable team that also will be attractive to the private sector to invest; because that’s the only way we can have sustainability.” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the trophy to the Governor.
