Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, says players of Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens would now be entitled to two jerseys per match, following the unveiling of the clubs’ kits for the 2021/22 season at the Edo State Government House, Benin City, on Wednesday.
Shaibu added that Edo has successfully paid both sides equal salaries under the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“Edo Queens and Bendel Insurance are the first clubs that will not be washing their jerseys after each match. From this season, every player will have two jerseys per match, so, fans at match venues have the chance of taking jerseys home after the game,” the Deputy Governor stated.
“The clubs are at par when it comes to salaries. The least paid Insurance player earns N150,000, the same with Edo Queens. (Barak) Obama tried it, it didn’t work; (Donald) Trump tried it without success. Today, Joe Biden is still battling with the issue of getting men and women players in the United States to earn equal pay, but Obaseki did it.”
Shaibu added, “When we were sworn in, the Governor said we must redefine governance and also return sports to what it used to be in the days of (Samuel) Ogbemudia.
“We started with facilities and now Edo has some of the best structures you can find in Nigeria. For the first time in the history of football, we are here to unveil jerseys and shirt sponsors of these jerseys. The sponsorship fee for Bendel Insurance’s jersey is N50m. That is what Sterling Bank is paying to advertise its products on the jersey.
“What we are doing with insurance and Edo Queens will be replicated across all our 36 clubs. Insurance will start their NNL campaign on Friday; they will fly to every venue that is more than four hours by road from Benin City. It is interesting to note that the money we spend on the teams is not up what the previous managers spent and yet owed players several months salaries.”
One of the highlights of the event was the physical unveiling of Edo Queens jerseys by Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, wife of the state Governor, supported by wife of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Maryann Philip-Shaibu and Nigeria Women’s Football League chairperson, Aisha Falode.
Governor Obaseki unveiled Insurance jerseys, supported by Shaibu, Sterling Bank Managing Director, Asue Ighodaro; Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen and the Nigeria Football Federation vice president, Seyi Akinwunmi.
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