As Kida returns as President
It was a very big surprise to basketball followers when foremost Ahmadu Musa Kida critic and former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji was elected into the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federal election that took place in Benin.
You may want to recall that Olumide has been one of the basketball stakeholder who has been very vociferous against the management style of Musa Kida, and was hell bent on making sure that the reelected NBBF president did not return.
But in a sudden twist of event, Oyedeji stormed the Benin election and Babatunde Ogunade was even made to step down as South West representative on the floor of the election to pave way for him to emerge.
Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida was returned as the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation unanimously polling 37 votes at the Elective Congress that took place in Benin City.
In the race for the Vice Presidency, Ogunade garnered 30 votes while Oyedeji got 7 votes with 28 states out of 37 states present at the congress monitored by FIBA ably represented by Ahmed Elhariri (President of FIBA Zone 5 and member, FIBA Central Board) and Nigeria Olympic Committee’ represented by its second Vice President, Engr Ishaku Tikon.
Anambra State Basketball Association Chairman, Ugo Udezue was voted in as the South East representative on the board while Alhaji Abba Kaka got the nod of the North East zone representatives.
Surajo Yusuff was elected as the North West representative while Adamu Jalong got the backing of the North West delegates
In his acceptance speech, Kida thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him which is a challenge to do more after a successful first term in office
“I thank you for the confidence reposed in me by your vote and my acceptance to continue to serve, I am in no doubt that the task ahead will be simple. However, no task is insurmountable if we put our minds to it and forge ahead together”.
He seized the opportunity to call on all stakeholders to join hands with the new NBBF board to move the game to greater heights.
“I assure you of our unflinching dedication as we hope to carry everyone along”.
“Regarding this electoral process, there is no Victor and no Vanquished. I am glad that this election was concluded without rancor and in the true spirit of sportsmanship. The only victor is Nigerian basketball”
He called on all aggrieved stakeholders to sheath their sword as the board is opened to meeting everybody with genuine questions and contributions to enable the sport move in the right direction.
Others sworn in include Victor Okoro (Military/Paramilitary), Col Samuel Ahmedu (International Representative), Prof Musa Yakassai (NapherSD).
Amongst dignitaries present at the Elective Congress were Mrs Sebina Chikere (Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Deputy Governor) who represented the Edo State Government, Hon. Ibrahim Adam Iman (Taraba State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development), Hon. Goni Nukar Lawan (Yobe State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development).
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