Dr Mustapha Abdullahi don elect president of di Nigeria Basketball Federation, as e collect 48 votes for di elective congress wey happun for Abuja on October 15 to beat former D'Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, wey get eight votes, while Ejike Ugboaja no record any vote. Abdullahi, wey be Director-General of di Energy Commission of Nigeria, don take charge of di federation for time wey stakeholders dey press make dem get stronger development structures.
After im election, Abdullahi remember di financial wahala wey shape im early love for di game. "As young boy wey grow for Northern Nigeria, my basketball journey start for grassroots courts, with passion wey strong so tey I once borrow money to buy one pair of basketball shoes," e tok. E describe di result as "one call to serve and commitment to di future of Nigerian basketball."
Morpheus Major-Idoko, founder of Graffiti Basketball and Music, tok say Abdullahi record of organizing competitions justify di confidence wey pipo put for am and e point to media rights, merchandising, ticketing and food and beverage services as areas wey get big economic potential. National referee Daniel Jonah show optimism say dem go get more training clinics for officials, while players' representative Paul Solomon Dibal urge di new board to deliver more tournaments.
Ugo Udezue don elect vice-president and e go represent di South East, join for di board by Abba Abdullair Kaka (North East), Yusuf Surajo (North West), Fubara Vincent (South South), Babatunde Ogunade (South West) and Abdullahi, wey go hold di North Central seat. Sule Mohammed go serve as technical representative, with DC Lucky Aliyu as players' representative, Emmanuel Iza as corporate sponsors' representative, Bamiduro Olumide represent NAPHER-SD and Prof. Florence Adeyanju represent di Nigerian Association of Women in Sports.
