AWOGU DEFENDS KIDA'S NBBF RECORD, SAYS OUTGOING PRESIDENT HAS DONE WELL

By Ohis Asein

Board Member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and Chairman of its Media Committee, Owelle Felix Awogu, has described the tenure of the outgoing NBBF President, Engineer Musa Kida, as a successful one, saying he has “absolutely done well” in the two terms he served.

Speaking tofaksmedia.comin Lagos, Awogu said Kida’s passion for basketball and his commitment to the development of the sport were evident throughout his tenure.

“I have closely worked with him, and I can tell you that in his two-term reign as President, he has done well,” Awogu said.

According to the NBBF Board Member, the increased attention and divergent views currently emerging within the basketball community should be understood within the context of an approaching election.

“At this time of election, it is expected that some sections of stakeholders will talk. It is not necessarily because the man has not done well; it is because the election is near and everybody has their interests,” he explained.

Awogu also called on stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly as the federation approaches its elective Congress, stressing that every stakeholder has the democratic right to support the candidate of their choice.

He disclosed that the NBBF Congress has fixed October 15 for the election, adding that the outcome of the ballot should be respected by all stakeholders.

“The President that I know will hand over office to whoever wins. People should stop calling names. Everybody has the right to support any candidate he wants. On election day, votes will be conducted, and whoever wins, we all say congratulations,” Awogu stated.

While acknowledging that stakeholders may have different preferences ahead of the election, Awogu maintained that his assessment of Kida was based on his personal experience working with him over the past two terms.

“For Kida, as someone I have worked with in the last two terms, the man has done well,” he concluded.

The October 15 election is expected to provide NBBF stakeholders with the opportunity to choose the federation’s next leadership and chart the direction of Nigerian basketball for the coming years.