The Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Benin City showed firm commitment to the development of sports with the passing of the bill regulating the Edo State Sports Commission into the stage of reading.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had in September 2018 through an Executive Order, scrapped the Ministry of Sports creating in its place, the Edo State Sports Commission. The Governor hinged his decision on the need to professionalize sports administration in Edo State.
As a measure of his commitment to the project, Governor Obaseki appointed as chairman of the Commission, Barrister Godwin Dudu-Orumen, one of Nigeria’s most diligent and experienced sports administrators.
The present House of Assembly led by Hon. Okiye has since its inauguration worked assiduously to partner with the executive branch of government to drive the development of sports in the state. It is thus no surprise that within a few months of its inauguration, the house has set as one of its key priorities, the passing of the sports commission bill into law.
A clearly excited Dudu-Orumen said the bill scaling second reading was a welcome development noting that it would fast track the development of sports in the state particularly as the Commission on behalf of the government and people of Edo State is working assiduously towards hosting the Sports Festival in 2020.
He stated that even beyond the Sports Festival, which timeliness are already being met by the Commission, the more important assignment before it, which entails instituting sound corporate governance in the administration of sports, the nurturing and development of sports at the grassroots and the interface with the private sector for funding, assignments, which if properly executed, will turn Edo State into the hub of sports not only in Nigeria but globally, would not be accomplished without an enabling Act.
“We are clearly excited by the development and thank Hon. Speaker Frank Okiye and members of the House for this laudable step. It is clear from their expeditious treatment of this bill that they appreciate the enormous impact sports will have on the GDP of Edo State and youth empowerment. Upon taking office, Hon. Speaker Okiye assured us that he and his colleagues at the House will ensure that the Commission is empowered to fully discharge it’s responsibilities by speedily pass the bill regulating the Commission into law. It is gratifying to note that they are keeping to this promise “ Dudu-Orumen stated.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the House to pass the bill within the shortest time possible given their awareness of the necessity for timely action in order that the state is able to meet it’s commitment to the hosting of the Sports Festival, and the Commission, deliver its mandate.
