Sports stakeholders have urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to properly set up the Edo State Sports Commission with a duly appointed director-general and board members, saying it will help in the professional management of sports in the state.
In 2018, the Obaseki-led administration created the ESSC, with ace sports broadcaster and lawyer Godwin Dudu-Orumen appointed as chairman.
A year later, the commission was formally passed into law by the Edo State House of Assembly, with a provision for the position of a Director-General and a Board of Trustees for the smooth running of the commission.
The ESSC, our correspondent learnt, should have a chairman, director-general, a board and seven directorates, but the governor is yet to inaugurate the board or appoint a director-general for the sports body.
The commission, it was further learnt, is yet to be given a take-off grant by the state government, to commence work.
A former Sports Editor, Daily Times, Sam John, called on Obaseki to inaugurate the commission’s board, saying it would drive sports development in the state.
“What I believe is needed now is for Governor Obaseki to exert the will and inaugurate the board of the commission and appoint a director-general. He should also follow it up by giving a reasonable take-off grant to the commission,” the veteran journalist told The PUNCH.
“I have no doubt that Edo State will return to its place of glory in Nigerian sports if these things are done. All the other elements – a competent and purpose-driven leader, abundant talent, and commitment of athletes – are already in place.
“The commission itself, well-articulated and composed, is a major driving force. There is also in place a qualified and capable chairman, knowledgeable in sports administration and business with a lot of goodwill to attract investments into the Edo sports sector.”
Chairman, Edo Sports Development Foundation, Ehi Braimah, expressed confidence that the governor would properly inaugurate the commission after being voted in for a second term in office.
“The director-general not yet appointed and the board not set up is mainly an administrative issue. But one thing I know is that in the next four years, the governor is going to take the issue of the sports commission seriously so that they can achieve their mandate,” Braimah stated. “I’m sure the governor knows what to do and he will bridge the gap. I’m positive that things will begin to happen.
Now that the governor has been elected for a second term, I’m sure things will get back in shape and that includes sports.”
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