Nigeria football is again in a state of sadness and grief following the death on Saturday of a former President of then Nigeria Football Association (now Nigeria Football Federation), Ibrahim Galadima.
One of Nigeria’s most-respected sports administrators in history, Ibrahim Galadima served as President of then NFA between 2002 and 2006, after serving creditably as Chairman of Kano State FA, Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council, 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Member of the Presidential Monitoring Committee for Stadia Development for the FIFA World Youth Championship, and as Commissioner for Social Welfare, Youth and Sports in Kano State.
“This is another one that hit us hard. Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima was a mentor to so many of us who are in various leadership positions in Nigeria sports today. He was the epitome of high dignity, diligence and integrity.
“We will miss his fatherly advice and words of wisdom dearly. Our prayer is that the Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and grant the family he has left behind and the Nigeria Football family the fortitude to bear the big loss,” Gusau said.
Born on 14th June 1951 in Kano, Ibrahim Galadima lived his life around sports, serving meritoriously in all assigned or elective positions. He was Chairman of the Kano State Football Association between 1977 and 1979, served as the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council between 1981 and 1983, and in 1984, was made a Member of the Caretaker Committee of the National Sports Commission.
Between 1985-1987, he was the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee. In the waning 80s, he was Commissioner for Social Welfare, Youth and Sports in Kano State, and later served as the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in the State.
Galadima was appointed a Member of the Presidential Monitoring Committee for Stadia Development ahead of the FIFA World Youth Championship that Nigeria was scheduled to host in 1995. The tournament was moved due to health concerns, but when Nigeria eventually hosted four years later, he served as Chairman of the Kano Sub-Seat.
