Mustapha Abdullahi, di new Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President wey dem just elect, don promise say e go do far-reaching reforms, grassroots development and better player welfare to transform Nigerian basketball. Abdullahi tok dis promise for im acceptance speech afta dem elect am, say e go strengthen di domestic leagues, improve facilities and build sustainable commercial partnerships.
Abdullahi collect 40 votes to beat former D'Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, wey get eight votes for di election. E show gratitude to di delegates, and e describe im victory as collective achievement for players, coaches, officials and di young Nigerians wey wan build career through basketball.
As e dey remember im own journey, Abdullahi recall say e dey play basketball when e young despite financial wahala, sometimes e go borrow money buy shoes and e go manage injuries because of im passion for di game. "My presidency go mark one decisive departure from business as usual. We no fit continue to do things di same way and expect different result," e tok.
Abdullahi outline one agenda to rebuild basketball from di grassroots, upgrade facilities, protect players' welfare, invest for coaches and referees, and promote women basketball. E also promise say e go pursue excellence across di senior national teams, D'Tigers and D'Tigress, plus di country youth teams.
For commercial development, e promise say e go open di federation to partnerships wit private investors, corporate organisations, international basketball institutions and Nigerians for di diaspora. "Every promise we make must turn to action, and every reform must dey measured by wetin e do for di people and institutions wey we dey serve," Abdullahi tok. Di president also promise say e go unveil one full implementation blueprint for di coming weeks.
