Kida becomes member of Borno State Advisory Committee on Governance

 

Borno state Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced the appointment of NBBF President, Eng Ahmadu Musa Kida ,as a member of Borno State Advisory Committee On Governance and Development. 

Announcing this at the weekend in Maiduguri, the Governor said the appointment of Musa Kida,who is also a Non-executive Director of the TotalEnergies, into the government advisory committee will enhance the quality of governance and speedy development in the state. 

Kida who recently bagged the Boston(USA) Consulting Group( BCG) team, West Africa, as an advisor, was the deputy managing director, Deep Water Services at TotalEnergies, Nigeria where amongst other accomplishments, he delivered the Egina Field Project, which achieved First Oil at the end of 2018, and was able to achieve peak oil production of 200,000 barrels per day, before his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service in the organization. 

Since stepping aside from his role as DMD, Musa Kida has maintained his commitment to contributing to local knowledge across the Nigerian energy space and currently serves as Non-Executive Director at both Heirs Oil and Gas and TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited.

Musa Kida is a civil engineering graduate from Ahmadu Bello University with a post-graduate diploma in Petroleum Engineering from Institut Francaise du Petrole (IFP), France.

These spades of appointments are a recognition of the hard work and dedication to assigned tasks, which also includes his recent appointment as Chairman of Ponticelli Nigeria Limited.

Basketball: Kida scores his NBBF leadership high

 

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida has scored his administration high, despite all the challenges faced. 

Kida who presented the  Score Card of some of his achievements to the stakeholders at the Extraordinary Congress held in Abuja at the weekend, said as a Board since he was elected as the NBBF President in 2017, including his tenure as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee from July 2021, that Nigeria’s Women has participated in and won 3 Women Afrobasket Competitions in Mali, Senegal and most recently Cameroon (2017, 2019 & 2021 respectively). "In basketball parlance we call these feats a “Three Peat “or “Back -to -Back -to Back”.  Winning this Tournaments enabled Nigeria to participate in the 2018 FIBA Women World Cup, in Tenerife, Spain, the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. At the 2018 Women World Cup in Spain, Nigeria set an African record reaching the Quarterfinals, the first by an African Women Team in World Basketball history. Our D’Tigress beat Turkey, Argentina, and Greece before falling to Team USA in the Quarter Finals after a close first half". 

 

" Nigeria’s Men had participated in the 2017 Men’s Afro Basket after just 2 weeks of Camping and won silver medal, beating highly rated teams like Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, Cameroon, and Senegal, after just two weeks camping. We also participated in the 2019 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers and after 4 rounds of matches became the 1st country across the globe to qualify for the World Cup in China. Nigeria hosted 2 of the 4 World Cup Windows and it is gratifying that as a result of this Nigerians saw topflight international Basketball and our Nigerian Stars playing at home after a long time. The extra incentive is that our Men’s Team used the opportunity of the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, for which our National Team also qualified as No. 1 in the Africa, as our route to qualifying directly for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In the process, Nigeria beat teams like North Korea, Cote D’Ivoire and the mighty Chinese Team before their home fans to pick an Olympic ticket as Africa’s sole representative at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.  It is also instructive to add that Nigeria was among the few select countries whose Male and Female Teams both qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The others been Australia, France, USA and host Japan.  This is another record in the anals of African Basketball" 

Kida said "at the 3x3 level which is the new wave in basketball, we participated in many tournaments across the globe and these include Tornoi Salamatou Maiga 3x3 Tournament, an U 18 for Boys and Girls Tournament in Mali, in September, 2017 and 2018, as well as the African Youth Games in Algeria 2018, where our National U18 Boys & Girls Teams both placed 2nd  respectively. We also participated in the African Beach Games in Cape Verde in 2019. Our Senior Men and Women 3x3 Teams are amongst the highest ranked teams in Africa.  Of particular note is the fact that our Men were African Champions in 2017 and have participated in the 2018 World Cup in Manila, Philippines, while our Women and Men’s Team won Gold and Bronze Medals respectively at the All-Africa Games in Morocco in Rabat, 2019.   Our participation in these 3x3 competitions with the desired impact is an indication of the interest of the NBBF under my leadership to develop youth basketball in Nigeria. It is not a surprise therefore that FIBA considers Nigeria as the hotbed of 3x3 Basketball in Africa based on the popularity of the event in Nigeria and the support FIBA 3x3 Department receives from Nigeria. With absolute pride, I wish to state that Nigeria led by well committed 3 x 3 afficionados continues to spearhead the development of 3x3 in Nigeria and FIBA Africa Zone III.  

 We did organize successfully, a series of courses for our Technical Officials between 2017 and date. These include the FIBA Statisticians Certification Course in conjunction with FIBA in October, 2017. The last time Nigeria had held such a Programme before then was in 2003, thus underscoring our commitment to training of our Technical officials. One (1)Technical Delegate,  five (5) Technical Commissioners and  Nine (9) Referees  recently undertook FIBA organized web examinations in order to renew /obtain their  respective FIBA licenses.  I am pleased to announce that through the effort of the NBBF to uplift our Technical Officials, Nigeria now has one Female FIBA graded Referee in Yahaya Fatima Ibrahim along with the crop of male referees we have in our midst. And it is not a surprise therefore, that referee Kingsley Ojeaburu of Nigeria officiated at the 2021 Afro Basket Qualifiers (First Window) in Kigali, Rwanda, 2021 FIBA U-19 World Championship, in Latvia, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, in Tokyo, Japan  and the 2021 Afrobasket for Men in Kigali, Rwanda, while Opeyemi Ogunleye officiated at the  2021 Afrobasket Women Tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon. In the same vein, Col Sam Ahmedu (Rtd), a FIBA Technical Delegate was invited to preside as a TD at the 2021 Afro Basketball Qualifiers (First Window) in Rwanda and the 2021 Afrobasket Women Tournament, in Yaoundé, Cameroon".

He said that, the NBBF also organized successfully, the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Champions Cup Qualifiers in October 2017, in Lagos, for the first time in as much as nearly a decade.  This is part of the goals set by Board to host as many Worlds, Zonal and Sub Zone FIBA competitions as possible.

" Also, our Nigerian Club sides, male and female, also continue to perform creditably in continental competitions. First Bank won back-to-Back bronze medals at the FIBA Women Champions Club Final Rounds in 2017 and 2018, while Defenders of Abuja and Rivers Hoopers of Port Harcourt qualified for the Elite 8 and Group Stage of the inaugural FIBA Afro League Competition, respectively. Rivers Hoopers also represented Nigeria at the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL), organized by FIBA and sponsored by the NBA in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2021"    

" Let me also add that our Sponsorship portfolio took some hit occasioned by  area. We have maintained sponsors like Zenith Bank and secured sponsorship for our National Divisions 1/2 Men's Leagues from Total E&P Nigeria Ltd. The Sponsorship which ran for an initial two years have been extended by another 5 years by the Sponsor.  This represents the first time in the history of Nigerian basketball that our Federation is having a sponsor for any lower tier of the Nigerian League.  The new Division 2 League format provides for 74 teams who compete at the State level, leading up to the Divisional, Conference and National Finals. Also, lots of sponsors which included GTB committed support to the World Cup Qualifying programmes that assisted the NBBF in hosting the World Cup Qualifiers in Lagos"

"There are lots more accolades to mention which include, proper Camping and training for our National Teams players in Europe and the USA which has enabled the Teams to perform well. Victories over the USA Men’s and the Argentinian National Teams with their array of top-class players in Las Vegas, USA/ Pre -Olympic Games Tournament was not a fluke. In the same vein, the D’Tigres beat teams like Serbia, Belgium and Puerto Rico in their warmup matches undertaken across Europe before the Tokyo Olympic Game this past summer. The effect is that Nigeria is no longer considered minnows in World Basketball and our FIBA Ranking has improved with effect. The country should indeed be proud of our players for these humble achievements" Kida concluded

Sports Minister Extols Leadership Qualities of Musa Kida

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on Monday extolled the leadership qualities of NBBF Caretaker Chairman Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida, describing him a passionate lover of basketball leading to his land breaking achievements in the Federation within the last four years. 

The Minister who spoke at victory party organized for  the senior national women basketball  team D'Tigress at the Afrobasketball Championship in Cameroon.

 He said the qualities of Engr Musa Kida will further be needed to place the sport in an enviable position worldwide. That winning three trophies in four years is a commendable feat. 

Nigeria's D'Tigress beat Mali on Sunday to emerge African Champions for the third consecutive time, affirming their position as the African queens of the court. 

Speaking further, the Minister who described the victory of the D'Tigeress as an Independence gift to the country,  appreciated and congratulated the team and the entire Nigeria Basketball Federation(NBBF)family under the leadership of Engineer Musa Kida for their feat.

"You have their story, you have their history and you have their journey so far," Sunday Dare opened up to the gathering, "The journey actually took them to the Olympics. Even after the Olympics. The ladies dusted themselves up and they showed that fire in Cameroon.

"I want to congratulate them for winning the Afrobasketball trophy and that is gold, you can see the Golden Cup here for third consecutive time.

"They have shown a rare dominance, the dominance of the women basketball terrain by D'Tigress from the African continent, I can say it's now undisputable. We have seen how they are also blending the home based players with the foreign players that is the DNA of our Sports as a country whether it is basketball or football, that blend always works for us.

"I want to thank each and every player, those that went to the Olympics, those that went to Senegal and those that went to Cameroon, that entire team has always done this country proud and I know that they have more victories ahead of them.

"I also thank them for putting Nigeria on the global map of basketball, the same goes to D'Tigers. I can now say that Nigeria is truly a basketball nation.

"We are happy that this is also a benefitting present to Mr President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire country as we are about to celebrate the 61st Independence Day Anniversary." Dare concluded.

Kida hails support from foundations to grow Basketball in Nigeria

 

The Chairman of  the Nigeria Basketball Federation Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, has commended the efforts of the various basketball foundations for organizing different basketball programmes in the country.

Kida, who was the Guest of the FCT Football Updates virtual Personality Interview Segment applauded the Adamu Yola and Jordan Nworah Foundation for organizing clinics in various parts of the country. 

Kida said the Federation under his leadership supported such foundations by giving them enabling environment, technical and administrative support in ensuring the programs succeed.

He said that though the Federation did not come out to sponsor one in a practical way,  because of paucity of funds, but all such programmes  needed all the supports in conformity with the set standards and objectives were supported. 

Kida boasted that his efforts as the Chairman of Rivers State Basketball Association has seen the consistently winning the gold in three National Sports Festivals, "this didn't come by accident for winning gold in the both male and female events, but by having a youth programme that we encouraged. We  have a few academies and foundations that we were operating especially the AMK Foundation which is my Foundation and reputed for been the very first in  development of the game in West Africa."

Kida gives date for new Basketball Premier League

 

Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, has commended his Board at the Basketball Federation, while expressing optimism that the Nigeria Basketball Premier League will return to action in September .

Kida, who dropped the hint while answering questions as the Guest on the FCT Football Update Personality Interview Segment said they are working very hard to ensure that the League returns in September. He said that the Federation will pull its resources together to ensure the commencement of the League while establishing contacts with identified sponsors, many of whom got fatigued due to the past  unfolding events in the Federation. 

"we are very determined that we are going to have a Premier League competition this year. So I am really very happy to announce to you that  we have already written letters to the clubs, and in that light, despite the fact that we don't have a sponsor yet , we are going  to dig into personal means in terms of hosting the Premier League for this year, starting with the conference eliminations on September 7. By beginning of October,  we'll be able to conclude with the finals in Lagos. With that we'll be able to have a league champion that can represent Nigeria, in the continental FIBA Africa, tournament."

Speaking on the efforts made to improve basketball at the local level, Kida said: for the first time in the history of basketball in the country, we had a title sponsorship for the Divisions One and Two Leagues, which were religiously carried out every year. We had an initial sponsorship by Total for two years running, 2018/2019 following the achievements made by the Federation and then signed off for another five years, which is unprecedented. While noting that the Div Two could easily key into the youth programme of the Federation's Developmental programmes".

" For me, that's one of the huge achievements of the Federation  though it did not accessed the media visibility it deserves. The Federation have also conducted training for referees, table officials and games supervisors and maintained it regularly on its calendar and that has produced officials that can be relied upon without the need for officials from other countries for international tournaments. Clinics and Media seminars were also organized for our journalists on the best way to reporting the game of basketball". 

Kida insisted that in major international competitions like the Olympics and World Basketball Championship, every country appears with their best, and that there is nothing special if Nigeria attended such events with players based in diaspora "there is no mistake there, so there is nothing to correct. What  is there and I will also be very direct is that, at that level of play, what we want is for Nigeria to put its best foot forward. My quest as the NBBF president, is to look for the best Nigerians that I can find globally to represent Nigeria in the best way. 

My intention is to have the poll-up syndrome where the local based players will aspire to play above the Nigerian Premier League and play in the professional leagues in Europe and the NBA and hoping that in the next few years when we're able to develop, we would have a league within the country that would be compared with those abroad and we would retain all our athletes in the country." Kida said.

NBBF players Rep to hold 2 days retreat with league players

The Players Representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Ejike Ugboaja will meet with all players in the Nigerian Basketball League system on Wednesday and Thursday to fashion a way forward for players and the game.

Kida draws positives from NSF certificate presentation

Presidents of the newly inaugurated National Sports Federations were on Thursday presented with certificates of office by the Honorable Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Gumel at the inaugural meeting of the new presidents under the auspices of the NOC.