The Nigeria Basketball Federation(NBBF) Reconciliatory Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has submitted its report. Inaugurated on the 4th of November, 2021, the committee was mandated to make recommendations that will resolve the disputes in Nigerian basketball and chart the way forward for the growth of the sport in Nigeria. Chairman of the committee, Mr Seyilayo Ojo, while submitting the report to the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare on Tuesday inside the Minister’s Conference Room at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said his team was guided by altruism, patriotism, integrity and national interest all through their deliberations.
He also said all the committee members conducted themselves with maturity and a deep understanding of the issues militating against the growth of basketball in the country. Ojo revealed that the committee had to make wide consultations with the different interest groups and factions in the bid to get to the root of the crises, some of which have lingered for years. He thanked the Ministry for giving him and the committee the opportunity to be of service to Nigeria and also providing all the support needed to get the job done.
In his response, the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, while appreciating the Reconciliatory Committee for their work, promised that the report will be studied and its recommendations carried out. Dare urged the members of the committee to continue their peace making, dispute resolving assignments and to see themselves as ambassadors of peace for sports in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation(NBBF) Reconciliatory Committee had Mr Seyilayo Ojo as the chairman, Alhaji Abba Yola(vice chairman) and Dr Toyin Aluko(secretary). Other members were Babs Ogunade, Mukhtar Khaleel, Ikeddy Isiguzo and Niyi Alebiosu.
NPFL: Union charges clubs on players welfare
The nation’s apex football players body, the All Nigeria Football Players Union (ANFPU) has charged clubs to prioritize the welfare of their players as action gets under way in the Nigeria professional football league (NPFL) from December 17. T he union’s Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi made this appeal moments after Club Owners and the League Management body (LMC) met and ratified the December 17 kick off date. Iloenyosi who was part of the meeting said he is happy the league is finally kicking off.
“I m happy the league is kicking off on December 17. Our concern in ANFPU is the welfare of the players. I was at the meeting ostensibly to press for the welfare of the players. I told the clubs that the players must come first because without them there would be no football. And the only way to get the best out of the players is to treat them well,” Iloenyosi stated. He stressed that ANFPU would be alive to her responsibility as the era when nobody gave the players quality representation is gone. Iloenyosi also welcomed the appointment of Davidson Owumi as the LMC CEO describing it as putting a round peg in a round hole.
AJ award, one like no other -Egbe
Stadium facilities expert, Ebi Egbe has described the award bestowed on him last weekend in Ajegunle, Lagos as a special award which he cherishes so much. Egbe who the organizers honoured alongside several other stars that have come out of AJ City as Ajegunle is fondly called said it is good to be recognized by the community where he grew up.
“Ajegunle is a place that has produced several stars in all spheres of life…to be recognized by the community is something to be cherished. I grew up in Ajegunle and I am proud of AJ City. I say a big thank you to the organizers of the award for the honor,” Egbe said. Egbe who is the CEO of Monimichelle Group was 2021 Sports Business Personality of the year.
The organizers noted that Egbe courtesy of the fantastic job he is doing in stadium construction is changing the face of sports infrastructure in the country. It would be noted that Egbe’s f irm constructed the Enyimba stadium turf as well as the Onikan stadium turf in Lagos that recently hosted the Aisha Buhari Cup.
