By Editor
Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, has defended Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials over reports that they prevented former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, from greeting the victorious Flamingos at the airport.
Obi had alleged that officials stopped him from approaching the Nigeria U-17 women’s team on its return from Morocco after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
But Shaibu, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, said the officials were likely enforcing team protocols to protect the players and maintain their focus.
“The NFF officials did the right thing. Every team has its own way of guiding its players,” he said.
Recalling a similar experience, the former Edo State deputy governor said he was once asked not to approach a team at an airport and simply waved at the players.
“Obi could have waved to the team. That wave is enough. You don’t need to want to do popularity,” he said.
Shaibu also dismissed criticism over the absence of President Bola Tinubu and other top government officials at the team’s airport reception, insisting that the President’s personal calls to the players before and during the competition mattered more.
“The President will not pay to the gallery, and the First Lady will not pay to the gallery. These girls deserve all the accolades that are in there. But what is key is the foundation of preparation for that victory,” he said.
According to him, Tinubu personally encouraged the players throughout the tournament, particularly when their morale needed a boost.
“I’ve consistently told Nigerians, the President makes personal calls before, during and after. Those calls are more important than after the victory.
“When the spirit is down and you get a call from the President telling you, ‘Forget about the last match, focus on the next match,’ I think that is more important than after winning,” he added.
Shaibu, who said he had supported athletes as Edo deputy governor, described the Flamingos’ passion and determination as genuine.
“If you see these young Nigerians, you see that it is organic. Their love for the sport is organic, and their love to win is organic,” he said.
