How Kaduna Volleyball Executive Shocked NVBF's Nimrod With Award Of Excellence

 






By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON


It was on a Monday evening, after the close of work for the day, the Media Centre of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS), Kaduna came alive with several dignitaries thronging the venue.


As early as 9am of that memorable day, January 6, 2025, the a lot of preparations were being put in place to ensure the venue was colourful enough following the importance attached and the dignitaries that were expected from far and near.


The organisers billed anticipated the event for 4pm, however, before the slated time, the parking lot before entrance to the main bowl and by extension, the media centre was filled with several flashy cars, which translates to the kind of dignitaries that were already on ground.


Being a surprise arrangement, the event has to be postponed twice, bearing in mind that the man whom the cap fits, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod has to be in town, before he can be lured to the venue.


While the organizing committee was at the planning stage, the date picked was December 28, 2024 and all arrangements were geared towards that date, including the branding of gift and the plaque that were to be presented.


That date could not be realized, because it was reliably gathered that Engineer Nimrod was then at the North East, to ensure the smooth conduct of a football competition he sponsored in Adamawa to go on without hitches.


The organizing committee was not deterred, but fixed another date, January 5, which was also promptly postponed to the following day, January 6, which will certainly go down in history as the day the Kaduna State Volleyball Association (KADSVA) honoured its chairman, Engineer Musa Nimrod, who has for over a decade, been developing sports generally, especially volleyball at the State and the nation.



The last postponement came up as a result of the insistence of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports Development, Professor Ben Gugong, who insisted, there was no way he would miss such a high profile event that was expected to attract key stakeholders in the state and nation.


According to Professor Gugong, Nimrod is a shining light in Kaduna State's sports development, hence, he couldn't afford to miss a rare opportunity to be present on a day he would be honoured.


So the D-Day finally came and the award plaque and souvenirs were presented to the delight of all present.


It was a gathering that will redefine sports administration in the state, judging from the caliber of dignitaries that were on ground.


Tributes after tributes poured in at the ceremony which lasted into the night, with the number one sports writer, President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin capping it up with his remarks.


He told the gathering that the adage that says a golden fish has no hiding place is true and it is apparent that Engineer Nimrod is one who has no hiding place as a philanthropic sports administrator.


He further disclosed that in view of his tremendous contributions to sports in Nigeria and Africa, National SWAN has written to him to serve as a patron, and is patiently awaiting him to choose a date and place, where all the national officers will gather and decorate him.


On how the award by KADSVA came about, the chairman of the planning committee, Lt. Col J. Gidanmana Usman told his members that the idea was birthed in December last year in Abuja, during the Africa Military Games, where Engineer Nimrod stood tall as a pillar.


He said it was after the games, he gathered other members of KADSVA executive and kick started the process.


With all seriousness, he led the committee members and ensured they taxed themselves to raise the funds to organize the event, which the SWAN President confessed in his remarks, the sports writers have learnt a lot from.


Though the award has come and gone, it has created a lasting impression on the minds of all who attended.


It would be unfair to end the write up, without recognizing the noble gentlemen and ladies that have written their names in gold by going all the way to sacrifice and crown a well deserved recipient, Engineer Nimrod by giving him a pat on the back for revolutionizing sports administration in Nigeria 


The organizing committee members are;

 1. Lt. Col JG Usman - Chairman 

2. Prof Simon Katung - Member

3. Prof. Prof. Mukhtari Mahmud - Member

4. Madam Sheba Jefferson - Member

5. Madam Florence Yori - Member

6. Madam Charity Philibus- Member

7. Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson - Member

8. Malam Adamu Mohammed - Member

9. Mr Gajere J. Polycarp - Member

10. Mr Danjuma Joe Dangana - Secretary


Kudos to the committee for a job well done and kudos to another man who brought life to the event, Mr. Philips Omachi, popularly known as Oga Driver, who was an exceptional MC.


Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson is a member of KADSVA Board. He sent in this piece from Kaduna. He can be contacted via; jacobnewnigeria@gmail.com

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