Basketball
Grinders Basketball Foundation Empowers Over 50 Student-Athletes in Abuja’s “Back to School” Program
Joel Ajay
The Grinders Basketball Foundation successfully empowered over 50 student-athletes through its “Back to School” program, held over the weekend in Abuja.
This event marked the 7th edition of the initiative, which provided recipients from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions with cash donations, exercise books, school bags, and other educational materials.
During the event, the Chairman of the Foundation, Umar Abdullahi, represented by the Provost, Aliu Omeiza, emphasized the program’s mission to bring joy to student-athletes in need. He assured attendees that the Grinders Foundation is committed to expanding its efforts in the upcoming 8th edition.
“The foundation is made up of basketball veterans dedicated to putting smiles on the faces of athletes in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions who may require assistance, whether it be for school fees or academic materials such as books and school bags. This is something we have been doing for the past seven years, and we will continue to do so. We are promising a better and bigger event next year,” Omeiza stated.
Regarding the selection criteria for recipients, Alhassan Joseph Enbago, the Public Relations Officer of the Grinders Foundation, explained the foundation’s approach.
“The criteria for selection of the recipients involve referrals from individuals who know an athlete in need of assistance. Some recipients are selected by us directly. We conduct follow-ups to ensure that the resources provided are utilized effectively. Beyond what you see here today, we continue to assist them from time to time,” Enbago noted.
The recipients expressed their gratitude to the Foundation for its generous support.
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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