IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr. Musa Kida, on his recent appointment as the Board Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

In his statement, Hon. Olopade praised Kida as one of Nigeria’s most dedicated and efficient sports administrators, acknowledging his extensive contributions to the growth of Nigerian basketball. “This appointment is a testament to Engr. Musa Kida’s passion, hard work, and remarkable track record in both the oil sector and sports administration,” Olopade stated. “With over two decades of experience in the oil industry, I have no doubt that NNPC Limited will thrive under his leadership, attracting new investments and enhancing operational efficiency.”

Highlighting Kida’s contributions to Nigerian basketball, Olopade commended his tenure as NBBF President, during which the national teams have reached new heights. “Under his leadership, Nigerian basketball has experienced steady growth, and our national teams have consistently excelled. At the last Olympic Games in France, our women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history by advancing to the knockout stage, an achievement that showcased the resilience and talent of our players,” he said.

Olopade further emphasized the behind-the-scenes efforts of Kida in ensuring the success of Nigerian basketball on the global stage. “I personally witnessed the immense work Engr. Kida put in to help our women’s team achieve that milestone. Today, Nigerian women’s basketball remains unrivaled on the African continent,” he added. Expressing optimism about Kida’s future contributions, Olopade stated that his new role at NNPC would not only benefit the oil sector but also Nigerian sports, particularly basketball.

“With the growing focus on a sustainable sports economy, I am confident that Engr. Musa Kida will leverage his position to further develop Nigerian sports. Mr. President has once again demonstrated his commitment to strengthening sports administration by appointing one of our own to such a strategic position.”

The appointment of Engr. Musa Kida as the Board Chairman of NNPC Limited marks another significant milestone in his illustrious career, and the sports community looks forward to the positive impact his leadership will bring to both sectors. 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari.

In a statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, in the early hours of Wednesday, Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023. The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.

Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu. six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West; Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central. President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South-West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East. Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board.

In contrast, Aminu Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. All the appointments are effective from April 2. President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasised that the board’s restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.

President Tinubu also gave the new board an immediate action plan to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, on Wednesday on a short working visit, the Presidency has revealed. A statement signed by Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said that during the visit, the President will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.

He added that Tinubu will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary. “This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year.

“Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion,” Onanuga said.

He added that while away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight, according to the statement. 

Edo Governorship Election Tribunal Dismisses AA’s Petition

The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, challenging the election of Governor Mo. 

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has officially announced the members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 23rd National Sports Festival, scheduled to be held in Enugu in 2026. In a statement, Governor Mbah emphasized that the committee members were carefully selected based on their expertise, outstanding contributions to the sports sector, and dedication to excellence. The LOC will be led by the Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr., who will serve as the chairman.

Full List of LOC Members:

Bamiduro Olumide – A respected sports management expert and former badminton champion, serving as General Secretary.

Mary Onyali – Former world-class athlete with extensive international experience.

Aku Aghazu – Accomplished lawyer specializing in sports management.

Victor Okorie – Elite athletes’ representative and member of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Blessing Chisalam Ekwe – Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and a FIFA-licensed agent.

Davidson Owumi – Highly experienced sports administrator, current Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Professional Football League, and former General Manager of Enugu Rangers FC.

Tony Ugwu – Chairman, Enugu Football Association.

Henry Chinedu Okorie – Executive member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Nigeria Athletics Athletes Commission.

Jonathan Nnaji – President of Nigeria’s Modern Pentathlon Federation, Vice President of the Africa Modern Pentathlon Confederation, and Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

Boniface Onovo – Director of Organising, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Ephraim Ochonma – Director of Coaching, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Obiora Obasi – Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Governor Mbah expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to organize a successful and world-class sporting event, highlighting their collective expertise and individual track records in sports administration.

In response, LOC Chairman and Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr., reaffirmed the state’s commitment to hosting a festival that meets international standards, ensuring an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.

The 2026 National Sports Festival is expected to be a landmark event, showcasing Enugu’s capacity as a premier destination for national and international sporting competitions. 

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged full support for the upcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), recognizing it as a crucial platform for discovering and nurturing emerging sporting talent in the region.

Dikko who is set to officially declare the festival open, reaffirms the Commission’s dedication to grassroots sports development across Nigeria. The event, scheduled from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, will bring together athletes from across the Niger Delta to compete in various sporting disciplines. Speaking ahead of the festival, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade commended the initiative and encouraged other states to adopt similar programs to enhance Nigeria’s talent pipeline.

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival represents a vital platform for discovering and nurturing raw talent,” Olopade stated. “We encourage more states to implement similar initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s sporting future.” In a significant boost for the festival, organizers announced PremiumTrust Bank as the official financial partner of the event.

The NDSF aims to showcase young athletes, foster regional unity, and promote youth engagement in sports, solidifying its role as a key contributor to Nigeria’s sports development landscape.