By Victor Kanayo
After about five years of crisis that rocked Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), peace appears to have finally returned after the government rallied warring stakeholders.
Indication to this effect emerged after a new Executive Board of the NBBF was inaugurated in Abuja by the Nigerian Government.
Heritage Times HT reports that the inauguration ceremony happened nine months after January 31 election produced two separate boards.
Weeks after the elections, and several attempts to resolve the then imbroglio, the government pulled Nigeria out of participating in all international basketball competitions, a situation that denied the country’s women’s team from taking part in recently concluded FIBA World Cup despite booking qualification place earlier run.
Led by Engr. Musa Kida, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, told the newly inaugurated NBBF board to do all it can to develop basketball from grassroots as well as ensure a better its standing in the comity of Nations.
The Minister described the inauguration as significant for the growth of basketball in Nigeria and a forward leap in the mandate of the Ministry in superintending and supporting federations for the development of Sports, challenging the new board to embrace reconciliation and a review of its constitution to ensure inclusiveness.
“Let that message go out clearly. To the President, the Vice-President and other members of the new board of the NBBF, the task of developing basketball is now under your watch, it now lies squarely on your shoulders.
“Our job at the Ministry is done. We expect you to deliver for our country, for our athletes and for basketball development. We believe that team work, understanding and cooperation are prerequisites for achieving the board’s goals and objectives,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the NBBF board, its President, Kida expressed gratitude to the Minister for resolving the crisis that plagued the federation.
He revealed that to put the past aside and work together with all stakeholders, a reconciliation committee has been put in place to unite the federation for the task of repositioning basketball in the country, while the process for the review of its statutes and constitution has begun.
Kida assured the Minister that NBBF under his watch will develop basketball from the grassroots and restore the nation’s glory in international competitions.
Other members of the board of NBBF are Babatunde Ogunade (Vice President), Abba Kaka, Professor Yakassai, Professor Adeyanju, Adamu Deshi, Ugo Udezue, Okoro Victor, Olumide Oyedeji, Suraju Yusuf, Felix Awogu, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd) while Njoku Peter is the Secretary General.
