Sports
Ahmed Musa Kida: A Victory For NBBF
Ahmed Musa Kida: A Victory For NBBF
By: James Bwala
Once again, President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that he is indeed a leader that listened to the voice of reason. The move by the President to return the Nigeria Basketball Federation to International Competition has further placed him at the centre of the game as a man who understands achievements and is willing to write his name in gold on the pages of history of basketball in Nigeria.
Very few individuals had wanted to draw back the hand of the clock on the many achievements made by the Ahmed Musa Kida’s board at NBBF but truth they say is light that always shines away darkness. The decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to rescind the two year ban and to return Ahmed Musa Kida and his board on the NBBF front is proof that truth always stands in the light where everyone can see.
Recalled that on May 12, 2022, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that President Muhammadu Buhari approved a two-year ban from international basketball activities following the unending crisis plaguing the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF following the emergence of the Ahmed Musa Kida as President for the second term.
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That decision was criticized in several quarters but the Minister stood his ground that it was the best thing to do to save basketball from dying; especially on the home front where there had been little or no activities. This was against the realities on ground as observed by many basketball lovers and concerned supporters of the game.
The hard stance led to the removal of the Nigeria women basketball team, D’Tigress from the roster of teams for the World Cup and was replaced by Mali. There were fears D’Tigers – the male team – would also suffer a similar fate with the men’s second phase World Cup qualifiers also approaching. However, with the reversal of the ban, the men will be able to continue in their World Cup qualification quest.
Before this reversal, the Minister of Sports had sworn in an interim management committee to oversee the running of basketball. However, there are strong indications the Musa Kida-led board will take up the role following their recognition by the international body FIBA.
I believe with the return of the Engineer as the President of the Federation, Nigeria will soon witness more success in its outings. Although there are opportunities missed, I know that the game will turnout for good just as the table has turned. We shall see a more vibrant team and witness speedy achievements as we cover all lost grounds in the game of basketball in Nigeria.
Our hopes on the D’Tigars and Tigress have been rekindled and we are solidly behind the Ahmed Musa Kida board having seen their achievements and records of straight forwardness in the demonstration of leadership of the basketball Federation in its first four years of the administration of the game. We are also sure on a solid footing that President Muhammadu Buhari will look back after he left office to see that he had made the right decision for the game and history will remember him for his great achievements.
There is no need to recall records of the Ahmed Musa Kida as they speak volumes. The Sport Ministry and all basketball lovers in Nigeria can attest to the fact that this is a victory long awaited. We shall continue to call for support for the board and will also continue to show our love for basketball in Nigeria as concerned basketball lovers in Nigeria.
Ahmed Musa Kida: A Victory For NBBF
News
Nigeria did not Apologize to Libya over Super Eagles detention fiasco – Foreign Affairs Minister
Nigeria did not Apologize to Libya over Super Eagles detention fiasco – Foreign Affairs Minister
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian government has said it at no time offer an apology to the Libya government over actions or inactions of the country’s national team during the fiasco of the detention of the Super Eagles at an airport in the North African country’s airport.
The Nigerian government made the clarification on Wednesday after it was reported in a Libyan media that it gave an apology.
A statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir,
the Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar read: “On October 15, 2024, the Libya Observer published an erroneous report to gain political leverage and cause disaffection amongst continental football administrators and fans.
“The publication by the Libya Observer, which misrepresents the phone correspondence between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the East-based Government’s Foreign Minister, is a clear case of misinformation. The fact of the matter was that the CDA of the Government of National Unity was summoned to the Ministry to seek an immediate end to the unfortunate incident. However, not much diplomatic headway was made during the meeting with the Acting Charge of Affairs, Imad Mohammed Matooq Aboud, as they insisted that it was not under the jurisdiction of Tripoli, which they represented, but that of the Eastern Government in Benghazi.
This prompted the Minister to take immediate action by contacting the Foreign Minister of the Eastern Government, Abdelhadi Lahweej, to intervene and ensure that the detention ended. After that, the aircraft was given the necessary permits to fly, and aviation fuel was accessed.
Both Ministers agreed that the matter should be de-escalated immediately. Even when Lahweej insisted on rehashing the untruth about the treatment of Libyan players in Nigeria, Amb. Tuggar once again corrected the misinformation about the mistreatment of Libyan players during the Nigerian encounter. He did not apologise or regret the treatment of Libyan officials and players because the account was inaccurate.
“Lahweej proposed a joint statement, which the Ministry rejected because it erroneously misrepresented the facts of the incident. Above all, the federal government of Nigeria only shares a diplomatic relationship with the government of the National Accord and not with the Eastern government.”
The statement emphasized that: “Nigeria remains unequivocal in expressing its displeasure and disappointment with how the Nigerian Football Federation officials were treated in Libya. It calls on the Confederation of African Football to urgently ensure that its Disciplinary Board investigates the matter and imposes appropriate sanctions based on its statutes.”
Nigeria did not Apologize to Libya over Super Eagles detention fiasco – Foreign Affairs Minister
Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian government has described the incident with the National team, the Super Eagles in Libya as a detention.
The government in a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe said it received with dismay the news of the unfortunate detention of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Al Abraq International Airport several hours after arriving ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.
The statement said: “To resolve the incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, initiated a phone call to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Eastern Government, Dr. Abdulhadi Lahweej. This spawned a series of actions, culminating in steps taken to assuage the officials and reassure the players of their safety. Subsequently, the contingent departed for Nigeria.
“In ending the phone conversation, Amb. Tuggar commended the authorities’ actions in resolving the incident, and both Ministers appreciated the amicable resolution of the unfortunate situation in the spirit of African brotherhood.”
Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention
Sports
Nigeria Versus Libya AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: NIDCOM Boss Describes Treatment of Super Eagles Players Despicable, Tuggar Says Situation Being Monitored
Nigeria Versus Libya AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: NIDCOM Boss Describes Treatment of Super Eagles Players Despicable, Tuggar Says Situation Being Monitored
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country.
Dahiru-Erewa in a statement signed by the spokesman of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun noted that travelling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country.
He lamented that the team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for its return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match, noting that the implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya , considering the situation of the war-torn country.
Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country, and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advice appropriately.
She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
She decried that already, the players, the pilots and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest and other means of communication.
She said: “The team were delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason”
Dabiri-Erewa recalled that the Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday and they were required to travel by road to their destination, lamenting that there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was frustrated.
She however appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm why the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has said Nigerian government is currently monitoring the situation in Libya.
The Minister said: “I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya.
“Through the Head of Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained contact with the NFF, and the Libyan authorities since last night. Despite efforts, Libyan authorities have not yet authorized the Nigerian Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located.”
He added that: “In the meantime, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the location at 6 am this morning (Monday) with necessary supplies and internet access. We will continue to follow developments and await a report for further action.“
Nigeria Versus Libya AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: NIDCOM Boss Describes Treatment of Super Eagles Players Despicable, Tuggar Says Situation Being Monitored
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