By Ayodele Oni
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has announced the withdrawal of earlier support to Ondo State football team, Sunshine stars, for medical treatment following an attack by armed robbers.
Players and officials of Sunshine FC of Akure were attacked by unknown gunmen last Thursday on the Lagos- Ore-Benin Highway on their way to Benin City for NPFL match day 13 engagement with the Insurance FC.
Their official bus was riddled with bullets while the Kit Manager and the Ball Boy sustained injuries.
The Deputy Governor had earlier visited the team members on their hospital bed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH) where he announced the donation and promised to pay their medical bills.
He paid another visit to the team on Saturday in their hotel where he met with the players and officials of the club. He prayed, gave them words of encouragement and some undisclosed amount of money.
However thereafter, Governor Godwin Obaseki announced that he will offset the medical expenses of the wounded team members.
Shaibu in a statement on Sunday stated that “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that His Excellency, the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has directed that the medical bills of the injured Ball Boy and the Kit Manager of Sunshine FC of Akure be paid by the State Government.
“Consequently, the State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn his earlier promise to pay the medical bill.
“He however said the cash gift he gave the players when he visited them in their hotel on Saturday remains.
“The office of Governor and Deputy Governor are one. We are not in any way in competition. I acted swiftly the way I did because of the passion and love I have for football and as someone who has been there before, I know the feelings of the players.
“Now that Mr Governor, my elder brother, has decided to offset the bill, it’s all for the good of the State. I thank him.”
