By Ado Salisu
The National Sports Commission recently conducted elections across 18 Federations, resulting in new Presidents and Board members being inaugurated at the Moshood Abiola Stadium to steer affairs of their respective jurisdiction for the next four years.
In a statement issued to newsmen today by Dr Mrs Kehinde Ajayi, Director Information & PR at NSC. disclosed that the Leaders emphasised the need for accountability and transparency, as the individuals will be tasked with growing their respective Federations to expand beyond existing limits.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, congratulated the newly elected members on being chosen by their peers, stakeholders, and the nation. He highlighted that the election is responsibility call to service, innovation, and economic contributions through sports.
The Chairman further emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, officials,and administrators, as well as unity within the Federation under this new agenda.
Dikko emphasized that responsibility is not only ceremonial but expected to be active, innovative, and results-driven leaders who will translate investments into tangible outcomes such as competitive athletes, good governance, capacity building, resource mobilisation, infrastructure utilisation, youth and grassroots engagement, integrity and anti-doping.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade commended the Chairman on his leadership role throughout the electoral process, applauding himfor his instrumental role in progress.
He praised the Directors and Electoral Officers for their integrity and commendable work, while also acknowledging the hard work put in by outgoing administrators.
Olopade appreciated the Federal Government’s commitment to sports development through infrastructure renewal, athletes’ welfare programmes, grassroots initiatives, and high-performance systems.
The DG address the newly elected board members, emphasising that their responsibility extends to developing competitive athletes, implementing good governance, building capacity, mobilising resources, utilising infrastructures, engaging youth and grassroots levels, ensuring transparency, effectiveness in domestic competitions that generate economic value, contribute meaningfully to national development, and maintaining a strong sense of patriotism.
Honourable Bukola urged the new board members to establish high standards based on their responsibilities and ask them, what they will write on the new slate given to them.
He appealed to them to serve with integrity, lead with vision, deliver results, and emphasised the importance of accountability and sustainability in all their work.
The National Sports Commission is committed to maintaining accountability through good governance, transparency and efficient management practices emphasizing that it expects new leaders to be active, innovative, and focused on creating tangible outcomes for Nigeria’s Sports development. The Commission also promises support and accountability in the administration of sports affairs.
The Comptroller General of Customs Service, Adeniýi Bashir thanked the Federal Government for their support, he acknowledges the Leadership of the Commission and express appreciation, praising them for their visionary policies that has driven sports to success, and praised the electoral committee for a job well done.
The President of the Cricket Federation Mr. Uyi Akpata commended the NSC Leadership too for their support and commitment towards the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria whose emphasis has been emulated in all the federations, he added.
Elections into the Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria was suspended to a later date.