NBBF MATTERS ARISING: The Bounty And The Hungry Hunters

NBBF MATTERS ARISING:

The Bounty And The Hungry Hunters

By Akeem Busari 

There is now so much apprehension in the Nigerian basketball community, as the much-anticipated Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) presidential elections looms larger with every passing comments. Beyond rhetorics, the coming election would decide the future fortunes of the game in Nigeria and which side of the fence the apple falls, would equally be decisive. 

In the last 7 years of the tenure of the present board, Olumide Oyedeji, a former NBA fringe player is one name that constantly comes up in the minds of a not a few passive lovers of the game, perhaps due to his presence in the media as perceived developer of the game. Discerning minds, too, have overtime questioned his genuine contributions to the development of the game as a member of the present board of the NBBF,  save for his annual basketball camp, that doesn't come for free.

Apart from flaunting his status as an Olympian, observers sees Olumide Oyedeji,  as a mere pretender for the NBBF presidential seat. They argued that for someone who clearly lacks tact, temperament,  and the zeal and ability to work in a team, the new NBBF leadership, would certainly fare better without his presence on and off the incoming board. 

Perhaps, another figure whose self-aggrandisement has deluded his sensibilities is Sam Ahmedu. His past and recent roles of ignominy, against everything progressive about the game of basketball in Nigeria, would perhaps, remain as his lasting legacy. In some climes, he wouldn't dare raise his voice or show his hands when matters that concerns the future of basketball comes up. 

More than his shenanigans and underhand deals to derail the present board of the NBBF, Ahmedu, has clearly made the basketball region he leads, stagnant and without progress under his leadership. Nigeria basketball can and would truly thrive without him. 

The name of Mark Igoche only comes up before and after NBBF elections. This is obviously a delusional pretender to the NBBF presidential seat, without remarkable inputs to the development of the game in Nigeria. A truly sore loser, who overtime has equally shown his selfishness that whatever he cannot get, must be destroyed. What explains his several actions and inactions to decapitate the NBBF and ensure efforts to run a basketball league in whatever guise, was literally killed with far-reaching litigations.

Igoche paints the pictures of desperation, selfishness and a blurred ambition that lacks purpose and direction. Over the years, Igoche's name has become synonymous with controversies aimed at undermining the efforts and eventual feats of the present board of the NBBF. Crying wolf in the media space, only works when the stakeholders are sleeping. Not now, because the dynamics have changed. 

And then the name of Engr. Musa Kida, the incumbent president of the NBBF, cannot be ignored for many good reasons. Selfless and unassuming, his leadership style shows class, uncommon patience and wisdom to continuously move forward despite the needless distractions from within and outside the leadership of board. He stoically got the game running smoothly again in the country, with the return of corporate confidence. And yes, the achievements of his board are legendary and would probably remain unmatchable for several years to come.

It is also impossible to ignore history. One of the most destabilizing electoral episodes in the federation’s recent past occurred within the same political environment now presenting itself as a corrective force. That episode fractured trust, weakened governance, and set Nigerian basketball back. For many stakeholders, the irony is striking: those associated with disorder now positioning themselves as saviors.

This election, therefore, is not about familiarity or sentiment. It is about choice. Do stakeholders prioritize visibility over viability? Motion over method? Or do they recognize that progress, once achieved, must be protected before it can be expanded?

Nigerian basketball has spent too many years cycling between experiments driven by ego rather than evidence. To abandon stability now would not be courageous; it would be careless.

The frying pan is familiar. The fire is tempting. But history has already shown where that path leads. Do you also cut off the head, just to spite the face? And we know what often happens to the hard earned bounty, when the hunter is absent.