Sports
1996 Olympic History , Africas first football gold medal,Nigeria’s feat,documented through film-Sports Minister
…As Ministry Signs Partnership with Homelands Films
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has announced a transformative initiative to celebrate Nigeria’s Dream Team’s 1996 Olympic gold medal win, stating that while celebrating one of the nation’s greatest sports night, the Ministry will use the power of storytelling to inspire a new generation of Nigerian sportsmen and women, fostering a sense of pride, dedication, patriotism, and resilience.
Senator Enoh made the statement on Monday during the landmark signing of a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and Homelands Films to document the heroic journey of Nigeria’s Dream Team to their gold medal victory at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
The Minister emphasized the film’s potential to bring to life a story deeply embedded in the hearts of Nigerians and sports lovers worldwide.
“In the run-up to the Olympics, nothing in concrete terms prepared Nigeria, Africa, and the global audience for what was to follow. They went to the Olympics under the unlikeliest of circumstances,” he said. “Although they were called the ‘Dream Team,’ not many people betted on them to return with the gold medal considering the fact that world football superpowers who were part of the competition were indeed bookmakers’ favourites.”
“Against all odds, our Dream Team went, saw, and conquered the world. It was not just about the gold medal but also the way this victory – which remains Nigeria’s greatest glory in world football – was achieved and celebrated that mattered. I recall Nigerians of all walks of life pouring into the streets in every town, city, and even the remotest villages in wild jubilation; they danced, sang, and draped themselves with the national flag.”
Senator Enoh highlighted the unifying power of sports and its transformative capacity, and its importance today, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu steers the country to greater prosperity.
“Nigerians forgot their different tribes, tongues, creed, and political differences that tend to polarize them. They reveled and danced well into the dawn of the next day. This poignant moment underscored the unifying power of sports. This unity, is what we must imbibe today.”
“We want a world-class film that tells the story of the heroics of 1996 in a manner that is enriching, compelling, and inspiring a sense of nationalism. Especially at this time, where the Olympics opening ceremony starts this week, it matters that we kick off this project now.”
The president of Homeland Films, Mrs. Mary Ephraim Egbas, expressed her excitement about the project. “By bringing this story to the big screen, we aim to honor the legacy of our athletes and ignite a renewed sense of pride and passion for Nigerian sports. The significance extends beyond entertainment. It’s poised to revolutionize the industry in Nigeria and Africa. It would have a profound impact on the sports industry.”
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Atinuke Watti, and other top sports stakeholders were present at the event to lend their confidence to a pro-Nigerian project.
As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games approaches, Enoh reflected on the potential for new heroics. “In a few days, the 2024 Paris Olympics Games will commence, and I am sure the inevitable question on the lips of some of our countrymen and women would be; are we on the cusp of something special? Will our sportsmen and women shock the world? These posers evoke the heroics of 28 years ago when young Nigerians carried the burden of the hopes and aspirations of their countrymen and women on their fragile shoulders, went to war, and returned in triumph.”
“One of our strategic intents as a ministry is to enliven sports in Nigeria by fully reawakening the entertainment potential inherent in sports and cause the world to pause and take note of a truly positive moment in our national life. This is why we have gone into partnership with the film industry and Homeland Films, to help us capture this moment in a blockbuster world-class film production that will feature in cinemas across the world and help showcase Nigeria’s sporting prowess, the resilience of her people, and our greatness as a nation,” The Minister concluded.
Basketball
Respect NBBF Constitution, Install New Board to Revive Basketball — Stakeholders
Joel Ajayi
Fresh concerns have emerged over alleged procedural breaches in the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), as seven members of the outgoing board insist that constitutional processes must be strictly followed to grow thw game and prevent a deepening crisis in Nigerian basketball.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the board members declared that the tenure of the current board officially expired on January 31, 2026, and maintained that no member approved any extension beyond that date.
They called for the immediate activation of constitutional provisions to convene an elective congress that will usher in a new and inclusive board.
The stakeholders in attendance included International Representative Col. Sam Ahmadu (Rtd); Prof. Florence Adeyanju (NAWIS representative); Olumide Bamiduro (representing NAPHERD SD, replacing Yakashai who resigned to join the Boxing Federation); North-East Representative Adamu Deshi; Technical Representative Scot Nnaji; South-West Representative Olumide Oyedeji; and Suraj Yusuf representing the North-West.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Col. Ahmadu said the briefing was necessary to address what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the federation’s leadership status.
“We decided to hold this press briefing because there is so much information out there — some factual and some concocted,” he said. “This is not a campaign for anyone but an effort by members of the outgoing board to set the record straight.”
He explained that the NBBF constitution clearly provides that a board’s tenure begins immediately after members are sworn in following an elective congress. Since the last election was conducted on January 31, 2022, in Edo State, he argued that the four-year tenure ended on January 31, 2026.
According to him, there is no constitutional requirement for any additional inauguration by a supervising authority to validate the commencement of tenure.
“Inauguration does not override the Constitution as the determinant of tenure commencement,” Ahmadu stated.
He further disclosed that the minutes and communiqué of the 2022 elective congress were duly transmitted to FIBA and the Federal Ministry of Sports, describing the records as incontrovertible.
Beyond the tenure issue, the stakeholders raised serious governance concerns.
Col Ahmadu alleged that since 2022, Congress — recognised by the constitution as the supreme authority of the federation — has not been convened as required.
He stated that Congress is mandated to meet at least once annually, yet no such meetings have taken place within that period. He added that the last board meeting was held in 2024.
The group also pointed to what they described as administrative lapses, including the alleged absence of an official federation bank account and claims of conflict of interest linked to a kit sponsorship arrangement involving the former president and the head of the marketing committee.
Additionally, they alleged that two board members — Technical Representative Scot Nnaji and Players’ Representative Stanley Gumut — were removed from the board under questionable circumstances.
They further questioned the increasing reliance on the Emergency Committee, stressing that the constitution does not empower it to replace the Board.
According to them, any decisions taken by the Emergency Committee must be ratified by the full Board which, they claim, has not met in over a year.
The stakeholders insisted that strict obedience to the NBBF statutes and the immediate constitution of a new board would “wipe the tears of basketball” and restore confidence among players, officials, sponsors, and stakeholders.
They urged relevant authorities to act swiftly to convene an elective congress and ensure a transparent process open to all qualified aspirants, warning that failure to follow constitutional procedures could further destabilise the sport.
However, the unfolding situation reflects mounting pressure within the basketball community for reforms anchored on transparency, inclusiveness, and strict respect for constitutional order to safeguard the future of Nigerian basketball
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