Sports
Celebrating a Sports Icon at 55: Hearty Cheers to Shehu Dikko, Administrator Par Excellence
By Joel Ajayi
Whenever we embark on a journey, we always hope for an experienced, courageous, and capable driver, pilot, or captain—someone who can navigate turbulence and ensure a safe arrival at the destination.
These exact qualities—ability, experience, and boldness—define the man we are celebrating today: Dr. Henry Mallam Shehu Dikko.
Appointed as Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Malam Dikko has emerged as a key driver of the sports sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Since assuming office, Shehu Dikko—a sports administrator par excellence—has wasted no time in deploying his deep expertise, leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to the task at hand.
In a short time, he has taken bold and strategic decisions that many would shy away from—moves that are already setting the Nigerian sports sector on a path to transformation.
As the Bible says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Indeed, this moment of reflection comes as Mallam Shehu Dikko marks his 55th birthday on July 5, 2025.
A seasoned technocrat, an accomplished architect, and a visionary leader, Dikko is not only reshaping sports administration but also making significant contributions to Nigeria’s wider economic narrative.
Hailing from Kaduna State, the Chairman’s achievements within less than a year at the helm of the NSC are both remarkable and far-reaching. Chief among them is the rollout of the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE)—a bold blueprint to reset, refocus, and relaunch the country’s sports industry.
The RRR model is driving a shift from a purely competition-driven landscape to a more development-oriented and value-based sports ecosystem.
As the drums roll and tributes pour in to celebrate this great man at 55, I join many others in giving 55 hearty cheers to this icon of excellence, wisdom, and transformation. His impact on the Nigerian sports landscape is undeniable, and his legacy is already being written in bold strokes.
Sir, may you enjoy many more fruitful years in service to humanity. Happy Birthday, our Chairman!
55 Cheers to a Sports Administrator Par Excellence!
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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