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Adeyinka Adedipe, Benin
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Friday night announced his exit from professional football.
Shaibu was a squad member of the state-owned Bendel Insurance FC before hanging his boots on Friday.
Addressing journalists after Insurance beat Vandrezzer FC of Lagos 1-0 in their last match in the Nigerian National League at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Shaibu said he was elated that his six years sojourn with the Benin-based side ended with a ticket to the Nigerian apex league.
He also commended stakeholders who helped to restore the past glory of the club.
“I am so excited today that in good health, I am retiring from professional football and thank the stakeholders in Bendel Insurance for this historic moment of retiring with jersey number 40,” Shaibu said.
“It’s first of its kind and I am so excited and happy about it.”
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor said he was elated that his commitment to and rebranding of Bendel Insurance yielded the desired results, adding that the club’s qualification to the elite division remained his happiest moment.
He urged coach Monday Odigie to live up to the billing in the NPFL, assuring the club of the necessary state government support.
The club, he noted could not afford to go back to the lower league again, saying they were back to where they rightly belonged.