ENGR (DR). AHMADU MUSA KIDA:The Greatest President In The History Of Nigeria Basketball Federation

By Akeem Busari 

Nigeria is indeed, blessed in all aspects of human endeavours. Sometimes, too, this most populated black nation on earth, is also described as the true ‘God’s Own Country’. And this is not for nothing. 

This great nation like the phoenix, has continued to rise and overcome its self-induced challenges. Despite the all encompassing life challenges, sports, have always provided the elixir and also firmly held together the dreams and aspirations of millions of Nigerians. 

Back in the early 60s and 70s, it used to be athletics and boxing, that helped to put smiles on the faces of a people, just coming out of a debilitating civil war. And since that period, it has forever been football, huffing and puffing with triumphs and sometimes, heartaches. 

Fast forward to the present, one of the unheralded sports, basketball, sprang up to announce its presence and determination to give the nation’s most loved sport, a run for its money.

For a people endowed with such amazing physical attributes, it is not surprising that Nigerians are now dominating the world of sports. And basketball is one sport, that amply testifies to Nigeria’s immense potentials to be one of the world’s best.

From the position of mere competitors, Nigeria basketball has risen to become a continental and global phenomenon. And in recent years, Nigeria has maintained a dominant and intimidating profile in the basketball community. 

Importantly, we must note and acknowledge the feats of the Nigeria men and women national basketball teams, which can be attributed to the shared common objectives and determination of the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, led by its indefatigable president, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida. 

Kida came on board in 2017, as the captain of a basketball ship that was submerged in the murky waters of greed, corruption, egoistic and mindless vain glorious pursuits by the previous leadership of the NBBF. 

Unfazed by the consistent negative vibes from the past leadership of the board, Kida was quick to show his hands as a determined, selfless and visionary leader, who is committed to positively change the narratives of basketball in Nigeria. 

Since Kida, a former national basketball player, took the reins of the Nigeria Basketball Federation from Tijani Umar, it has been an upward surge for basketball in Nigeria, what with the newly found fervour, attractiveness, and developmental strides of Engr. Musa Kida’s led board.

The achievements of the NBBF under Musa Kida, include amongst many other incredible feats, winning back-to-back Afrobasketball championships; making history as the first African nation to qualify both its female and male teams for the Olympic games at a time.

 As well as, Nigeria’s senior women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress making history as the first ever African basketball team to qualify for the quater-finals stage at the last Olympic games held in France. 

Spending personal hard-earned finances and resources to propagate and promote the development of the game in Nigeria, with little or no financial assistance from the relevant sports authorities, Musa Kida, has stoically remained resolute in his desires to take the game to utopian heights.

Even after his reelection as the NBBF President, he has continued to endure and tempered with unsolicited, but greed-induced crisis and shenanigans by supposed stakeholders. Undeterred by the mindlessness of his traducers, who have always pretended to be allies, Kida, nevertheless, brought class, panache, high level of astuteness and invaluable experiences, buoyed by his over three decades of experiences as a globally highly reverred expert in the oil and gas industry. 

Despite the shenanigans within the basketball community, against all odds, he got the local basketball league divisions one and two for both women and men, running again, albeit with lots logistics and financial challenges. 

Nigerians and indeed, the genuinely concerned stakeholders and investors in the game, are also quick to credit him with the lofty and untold achievements of Nigeria Basketball Federation. 

Let’s also note that whilst Mali and Senegal, had the opportunities to train and tour in Europe for about three months and playing top quality friendly games, D’Tigeress only camped for a few days due to financial constraints, yet they went ahead to brutalized all opponents, including Mali in the finals. 

In his words, the national coordinator of Friends Of Nigeria Sports, Chief Diprieye Thompson, described Kida as a visionary, selfless and uncommon patriot, who has continued to see the larger pictures that paints a positive future for the Nigerian youth through his several personal initiatives and of course, the development of basketball in Nigeria. 

Speaking at the Presidential reception held to honour D’Tigress, the team were in unison in lavishing praises for Musa Kida. They thanked him for his financial and physical supports for team at all times. And that is another important testimonial to his great leadership skills. 

Never has Nigeria basketball adorn and revel in such euphoria and accolades coming from its monumental achievements and yes, coming from the astounding feats of D’Tigress, winning a five consecutive Afrobasket championship, and with the latest win, setting unprecedented records for the African game.

I ask, could these and many other achievements have been possible without the efforts of a ever-resourceful and fiercely committed patriot, as Musa Kida and his equally hardworking and dedicated board members of the NBBF? I say, NO.

Musa Kida, has come, seen and of course, conquered the African basketball landscape. It is a fact that whosoever succeeds him as the new president of the NBBF come next year, has the unenviable tasks to match his giant strides. 

Without a doubt, he would certainly go down in history as the best and greatest President of Nigeria Basketball Federation ever. And yes, I join millions of Nigerians, that prays for Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, to gets his flowers and of course, a well deserved national honour, for his widely acknowledged selfless services to Nigeria.