The National Sports Commission has conducted elections across 16 Federations, resulting in new Presidents and Board members being inaugurated at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
The Leaders emphasised the need for accountability and transparency, as these individuals will be tasked with growing their respective Federations to expand beyond existing limits.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, congratulated the newly elected members on being chosen by their peers, stakeholders, and the nation.
He highlighted that the election is a responsibility call to service, innovation, and economic contributions through sports.
The Chairman further emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, officials,and administrators ,as well as unity within the Federation under this new agenda.
Dikko emphasized that responsibility is not only ceremonial but expected to be active, innovative, and results-driven leaders who will translate investments into tangible outcomes such as competitive athletes, good governance, capacity building, resource mobilisation, infrastructure utilisation, youth and grassroots engagement, integrity and anti-doping.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade commended the Chairman on his leadership role throughout the electoral process, applauding him for his instrumental role in the progress so far recorded.
He praised the Directors and Electoral Officers for their integrity and commendable work, while also acknowledging the hard work put in by outgoing administrators.
Olopade appreciated the Federal Government’s commitment to sports development through infrastructure renewal, athletes’ welfare programmes, grassroots initiatives, and high-performance systems.
Addressing the newly elected board members, the DG emphasised that their responsibility extends to developing competitive athletes, implementing good governance, building capacity, mobilising resources, utilising infrastructures, engaging youth and grassroots levels, ensuring transparency, effectiveness in domestic competitions that generate economic value, contribute meaningfully to national development, and maintaining a strong sense of patriotism.
Olopade urged the new board members to establish high standards based on their responsibilities and and expects them to write their names in gold with the new slate given to them.
He appealed to them to serve with integrity, lead with vision, deliver results, and emphasised the importance of accountability and sustainability in all their work.
He noted that the National Sports Commission was committed to maintaining accountability through good governance, transparency and efficient management practices emphasizing that it expects new leaders to be active, innovative, and focused on creating tangible outcomes for Nigeria’s Sports development. In addition the Commission also promised support and accountability in the administration of sports affairs.
The Comptroller General of Customs Service, Bashir Adeniýi thanked the Federal Government for their support, he acknowledged the Leadership of the Commission and expressed appreciation, praising them for their visionary policies that has driven sports to success, and praised the electoral committee for a job well done.
The President of the Cricket Federation Mr. Uyi Akpata commended the NSC Leadership too for their support and commitment towards the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria whose emphasis has been emulated in all the federations.
