Dare inaugurates NBBF board to ‘develop basketball in Nigeria’

Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development has inaugurated a new board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board.

The event took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.

The board, led by Musa Kida, the NBBF president, is tasked with revamping basketball in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dare described the exercise as significant for basketball growth in Nigeria and a leap in the sports ministry’s mandate to superintend and support federations for sports development.

He also enjoined the board to embrace reconciliation and ensure inclusiveness.

“I challenge you to embrace reconciliation and a review of the constitution to ensure inclusiveness. This is the only board recognised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and, by extension, the Federal Government of Nigeria. The task of developing basketball is now under your watch and it lies squarely on your shoulders,” he said.

“We expect you to deliver for our country for our athletes and for basketball development and we believe that team work, understanding and cooperation are prerequisites for achieving the board’s goals and objectives.

“The ministry, having noted the situation around the basketball federation has approved the Elective Congress of January 21 2022 and its outcome, and that is why we are here today.”

In his remark, Kida, who spoke on behalf of the NBBF board, expressed gratitude to the minister for resolving the crisis that plagued the federation for over five years by recognising the outcome of the elective congress.

“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 Nigeria while the process for the review of its statutes and constitution has begun,” he said.

Kida also assured the minister that the NBBF would develop basketball from the grassroots and restore the country’s glory in international competitions.

The board has Babatunde Ogunade as vice president, and Njoku Peter as secretary.

Other members of the board are Abba Kaka, Umar Yakassai, A. Adeyanju, Adamu Deshi, Ugo Udezue, Okoro Victor, Olumide Oyedeji, Suraju Yusuf, Felix Awogu and Sam Ahmedu.