.Hails other NOC Executive Board members too
The President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul has hailed the re-election of Engineer Habu Gumel as the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
Gumel recently got his wish to serve again for the fifth term as the NOC helmsman after he defeated his opponent, Engineer Sani Ndanusa by 21 to 19 votes in a keenly contested election held in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The President, NWF who played an active role in Gumel re-election for another term praised the doggedness and resourcefulness of the NOC President whom he said has used his position to reposition Nigerian sports in the comity of nation.
He said he needed no conviction before the NOC election where his allegiance lied and that Engineer Gumel has shown over the years that he is at the NOC to serve the country selflessly and also to ensure no sports association takes backseat.
“I am more than elated to witness and actively participated in the election that produced Engineer Gumel as NOC President for another term. He is someone I and several others look up to for inspiration because he has spent most of his years for the growth of Nigerian sports,” Dr Abdul said in a press statement.
“It was a tough election but at the end of it, we are glad the will of God prevailed and he has got the mandate of the NOC again for another four years. Age comes with maturity and his desire to offer himself for Nigerian sports should be applauded.
“He needs the support of all. The election is over and it is time to close ranks and work for the growth of Nigerian sports.”
The NWF President nonetheless urged the reelected NOC President and his new board to get down to work immediately and strive to ensure that Nigerian sports development is at the forefront of their activities. He called on the newly elected NOC Executive Board to work for the good of all and put aside personal interests and aggrandizement.
“I want to appeal to the new NOC President and his Executive Board to work across various Sports and ensure Nigerian sports is at the fulcrum of their administration. It is time to get to serious work.
“I have implicit trust in the ability and capability of the NOC President and his Executive Board to uplift Nigerian sports and take it beyond the next level.”
Gumel’s latest victory earned him an astonishing fifth term in office. He first emerged as NOC President in 2001, and he served two consecutive terms until 2010.
He did return after Ndanusa’s brief reign, winning another back-to-back term from 2014 to 2022.
Apart from Mr Gumel’s emergence as President, they were also keen contests for other positions on the NOC board.
For the first Vice President position, Solomon Ogba of the Bobsled & Skeleton Federation emerged as the winner while the Second Vice President position, Ishaku Tikon of the Table Tennis Federation was returned as the winner, unopposed.
Former NBA star, Olumide Oyedeji, was voted as the Third Vice President as Olabisi Joseph of the School Sports Federation was voted as the fourth Vice President.
In other positions, Musa Kida was voted Treasurer, Tony Nezianya as Public Relations Officer(PRO), Tunde Popoola as Secretary General and Abdullahi Mohammed as the Deputy Secretary General.
