Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has congratulated Dr Mustapha Abdullahi on his election as president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s Special Adviser, Ismail Isah.
Ododo said he was delighted by Abdullahi’s emergence and expressed confidence in his ability to advance basketball development in Nigeria.
He said, “Dr. Mustapha, who is the Chairman of the Kogi State Basketball Association had supported grassroots basketball development through the annual DAM Foundation Basketball Championship, which provides young players with opportunities to compete and develop their skills into world beaters in the last few years.”
The governor described Abdullahi, a native of Kogi State, as an administrator with experience in human resource management, expressing confidence that he would bring his experience to bear on basketball development in the country.
Ododo cited the recent performances of Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, and the women’s team, D’Tigress, in African and international competitions, saying they provided a foundation for the new NBBF president to build on.
He also pointed to Abdullahi’s record in talent discovery, international exposure and professional networks as potential assets in advancing the sport.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people to excel in sports through local competitions and national and international platforms.
He cited the annual DAM Foundation Basketball Championship in Okene, which he said had continued to attract thousands of sports enthusiasts and visitors to Kogi State.
Ododo wished Abdullahi a successful tenure, expressing hope that his leadership would sustain the growth and development of basketball in Nigeria.
Abdullahi, who is the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, secured 40 of the 48 votes cast to emerge as NBBF president.
