Felly Mammah N.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has been receiving commendations for what he has done in times past in the Premier Leagues and for what he is capable of doing, in the present sports scenario. Being a FIFA Match Commissioner of repute and presently a CAF Committee Member, sports lovers are pleased with his appointment to saddle the sports sector, more especially coming from Mr President who is not only a football fan, but a sports lover generally.

Dikko’s business ideas are renowned to have made Nigerian Leagues vibrant and, no doubt, could be part of the President’s considerations for nominating him to deploy his wealth of experience in the vast spectrum of Nigerian sports, and to make them financially attractive and less burdensome to government.

Visibly seen around the NSC Chairman, since his assumption of duty, are veterans of football who are eager to collaborate with him and to lift Nigerian sports and bring leaders of sports from all over the world to Nigeria. Those who have personally worked with him before now do not seem to want to either part ways with him or to be excluded from the envisaged pragmatic restructuring which his administration portends.

Of great significance is Dikko’s encouragement for dialogue and togetherness, which has given room for Directors of the defunct Ministry of Sports Development to brief him on their schedules, with the totality of their usual challenges being lack of funds to execute principal projects and to device thoughtful ways of generating revenue for programme sustainability.

Notable working visits that he has engaged in, include among others, the courtesy call from the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (OFR) whose wish is to collaborate with the Commission to see how the military can support to recreate a new Sports Commission, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s zeal for change which, without doubt, necessitated the abolishment of the erstwhile Ministry, to enable the Sports Commission be independent indeed, to meet the high global standard in the sector.

Both Gen. Musa and Dikko agreed that sports means a lot to Nigerians as it invariably affects health and security. They recalled their days of early beginnings when lnter-House sports competition was a big attraction and motivation to youths, as well as propelling them away from crimes. Indulging youths in sports according to them, will keep them busy and calm insecurity. The Chairman’s resumption came at a time that the Nigeria Army hosted 25 African countries for the 2nd edition of the Armed Forces Games.

The appearance of Shehu Dikko on the stage is a good omen that is already speaking volume of positive forwardness in the sports sector as Nigeria is among African countries that have qualified for the 2025 AFCON championships . Nigeria’s Supper Falcons are also looked upon on to perform favorably in the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024, in the aftermath of the draws of the games and perform creditably in the tournament which is expected to be played in Morocco from 5-21 July 2025.

As Dikko takes his giant strides, the Sports Writers Association (SWAN) is among notable forces that will determinedly engage with him and drive effective collaboration and partnership in the overall interest of Sports Development and attract investors to the sector.

The Chairman has similarly welcomed the partnership of National Association Women in Sports (NAWIS) and National Associations of Physical and health SD. While commending the women for making the country proud during crucial games, he advised them to draw a road map project that will continue to make them relevant in the sports sector.

Finally Chairman Shehu Dikko looks forward to collaborating with every stakeholder or any person who will make meaningful suggestions that will enable him penetrate areas with latent sporting potentials. One of his grand achievements will be the evolution of a revamped sports domain, devoid of pointers or traces of negativity in the conduct of sporting activities as was experienced at times in the past years.

Felly Mammah N.
Press Officer (NSC).

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Share

Share

Share

Share

Share