The Former Edo State Deputy Governor, comrade Philip Shuaibu has expressed his readiness to play as ‘Guest player” for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) football team (Team Correspondents) in the 2nd Edition of the NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel Football Tournament.
The 3-Day tournament with the theme: ‘Football for Friendship and Peace' is scheduled to kick off on Thursday July 11th by 10:00am at Area 10 football field by Old Parade Ground Abuja.
The NUJ team would be facing the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the group and knockout stage while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) would engage the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
Also, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) would be taking on the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) while AIBEN would be slugging it out with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) would tackle Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) and Nigeria Police Force will engage Federal High Court (FHC).
Shuaibu disclosed this on Wednesday when he received a delegation led by the Chairman of FCT Correspondents Chapel, Mr. Jide Oyekunle, who paid him a visit to formally present him with his jersey and kits in Abuja ahead of the encounter.
He said God has used journalists to save his life and he is ready to sacrifice his last energy to support and identify with any programme organised by journalists in the country.
He described the football tournament initiative by the Oyekunle's led executive as laudable and outstanding just as he called on the government, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative to achieve its purpose.
The tournament which is aimed at promoting and strengthening the relationships between the media and participating organisations would feature twelve (12) teams drawn from the government organisations, security agencies and professional bodies.
The Deputy Governor said he is battle ready for the game just as he promised to lead the NUJ team to victory.
According to Shuaibu “For me, anything for journalists, I am there even when I am weak. If I have small energy and journalists call and say we need you, I can use that last energy to be part of their programme.
“As I always say, God used them to keep me alive and God is still using them. I see myself as one of you. I want to commend you for this noble idea and initiative, and I call on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to support gestures like this.
“Anywhere there are no journalists, that place is dead and would never be recognised. Journalism profession is life and anywhere there are no journalists there is no life."
He also narrated how he helped the wife of the Governor, Betsy Obaseki, to organise pre-season football tournament titled "Education for Girl Child" using ‘Gloria’, one of Edo Queen, as face and Ambassador of the tournament as role model for young ones.
He said his passion for football was borne out of the fact that it has the power to bond people together and unite the world irrespective of the religion, ethnic and political affiliation.
The NUJ Chairman, Jide Oyekunle, on his part said the gesture by the Deputy Governor to participate in the tournament would be an icing on the cake, just as he conferred the captain title of the team on him.
He said his presence would further boost the morale of the players and keep them in high spirits.