The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Isaiah Benjamin has described the late Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as a father figure and pillar in Nigeria’s sports sector, whose death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.
Leading a delegation on a condolence visit to the residence of the deceased, the SWAN President said the late Galadima was always available to offer guidance and support to sports journalists and administrators alike.
Benjamin noted that Galadima’s contributions to the growth of sports in the country were immense, adding that his fatherly role and wise counsel helped shape many careers within the sector.
According to him, the late sports administrator stood firmly with SWAN during challenging times, offering advice and encouragement whenever needed. He added that Galadima’s commitment to the Kano chapter and the wider sporting community would remain a lasting legacy, stressing that his absence would be deeply felt across the nation.
Responding on behalf of the family, the deceased’s brother, Abba Galadima, expressed appreciation to the SWAN delegation for the visit, describing it as a great source of comfort in their moment of grief.
He said the late Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima had been a father and mentor to the family for over six decades, noting that his loss was not only personal but extended to the entire sports community and the country at large.
Abba Galadima acknowledged the late icon’s towering influence, stating that it would be difficult to match his achievements and legacy. He thanked SWAN and other sympathizers for their support and solidarity, emphasizing that their presence meant a lot to the family during this difficult period.
Meanwhile, the President also visited the family home of the Kano State SWAN Assistant Secretary, Muzambil Dalhat Yola to offer his condolences over the loss of his wife during childbirth.