Death has once again hit the football family with the sad news of the demise of former Chairman of Nigeria Football Association, Ibrahim Galadima in Kano.
The late Galadima can be said to be synonymous with Nigeria’s sports and was different things at different times in the country’s sports.
Former Secretary General of NFA and former House of Representatives member, Sani Ahmed Toro broke the news and described the late Galadima as a “respected figure and a pillar of Nigerian football administration.”
VDCInsights reports that Toro confirmed the elder statesman’s death in the early hours of today in Kano, bringing to an end, a lifetime of service to the football game.
The former NFA Secretary General in an emotional laden words said “I regret to announce the death of our respected Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, former NFA Chairman, today in Kano. May Allah reward him with Aljanna Firdausi.” .
The late Galadima was born on June 14, 1951, in Fagge, Kano and started his journey in sports administration at a very young age and gradually rose to a respected figure in sports administration and leadership in Nigeria.
He started off as Chairman of the Kano State Football Association in the late 1970s, and showed an uncommon passion for grassroots development of the game.
Over the years, he served in different capacities including as Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council, and later 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
One thing stood him out that is lacking in today’s administrators which is discipline and integrity as in all his roles in sports, he demonstrated uncanny strength, professionalism,discipline, and unwavering commitment to sports development.
He also served in other roles outside sports where he held key positions as Commissioner for Social Welfare, Youth and Sports, and Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in Kano State.
Galadima played vital roles in major international sporting events, including Nigeria’s preparations for the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship and the hosting of the 1999 edition.
His contributions to African football were also recognized through his involvement with the CAF’s Youth Competitions Committee.
In 2002, he was elected Chairman of NFF and his tenure marked a period of stability and experience guided leadership that witnessed a measure of turbulence free reign.
His re-election for a second tenure however marked the beginning of the crisis and decline in Nigerian football till date.Though Galadima won his re-election in a free,transparent and credible election,the powers that be,in connivance with FIFA, ensured he did to enjoy that victory.Today,the problem still lives with us.
21 years after,the seed of the crisis sown then in 2005 over failure to qualify for the 2006 nundial in Germany still lingers,but regrettably,Nigeria no longer considers qualifying for the world cup an offence to force out any failed president.
As tributes continue to pour in, colleagues, players, and administrators have continued to eulogise a man, who gave most of his active years and life to the growth of Nigerian football and sports .
Galadima may have gone to join his ancestors, his legacy, will,surely endure for generations to come, especially the lives he touched. His death undoubtedly is end of an era of honest men,men of discipline,integrity and professionalism in our sports.
