Dr Mustapha Abdullahi don come out say im wan lead Nigeria Basketball Federation, as e call for wetin im describe as full reset for Nigerian basketball wey go stand on innovation, competence and discipline for inside di system. "Nigerian basketball no need leadership because of leadership. E need kain total change. E need innovation but e no suppose lose di discipline wey dey di system," Abdullahi tok.
Abdullahi, wey don play and support di sport outside di normal basketball administration structure, say im experience for government, school, business, energy and international institutions fit help bring partnership and investment enter di game. "Di president of NBBF suppose dey able to open doors, bring partners and make Nigerian basketball dey visible for di places wey dem dey take decision and invest money," im add.
Im point to initiatives like di yearly DAM Foundation Basketball event for Okene, Kogi State, plus scholarships, skills development, fellowship programmes and community engagement, as proof say e dey committed to connect basketball with opportunity for young pipo. "Di young player for neighborhood court no care about federation politics. Im wan pathway. Di talented teenager wan opportunity. Di coach wan support. Di professional player wan system wey dey work," Abdullahi tok.
Abdullahi still call for more investment and visibility for women basketball and stronger structure for clubs and administrators. E urge say make relationship strong among basketball stakeholders, government, businesses and international partners, as e still stress say experience alone no go enough, e must match with vision, integrity and di capacity to deliver results.
