This is contained in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Board of NNPC Ltd. at the State House, Tinubu said he selected the board members painstakingly to ensure quality leadership.

“When I started searching, it took a while to come up with the kind of character that you represent. You represent the best in the industry, and I have set goals for you.

“You have the reputation, resourcefulness and experience to help the country. It is a call to duty for you.

“I believe you are among the best the industry can offer,” he said.

The president said the ongoing economic reforms had yielded results, with local and international acknowledgements.

“Nigeria has come of age. It is now more competitive and turning the corner, and with your highly respected team, I can relax and attend to other issues.

“Thank you for accepting the opportunity to serve your country and our dear country,” the president stated.

Tinubu told the board that the volatility in the world’s economy would require looking inward for solutions, and Nigerians would depend on repositioning the NNPC Ltd.

He added, “Explore all options for a win-win situation for Nigeria. I am so proud of you and believe you will succeed.”

Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State, Petroleum, thanked the president for assembling the team he described as the best in Africa.

“I got calls from the whole of Africa, my colleagues in OPEC, saying that if this team does not deliver, Nigeria will have to import men from another planet to come and deliver the oil and gas sector in Nigeria,” he said.

Ahmadu Kida, the Chairman of the Board, thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the country.

He said the new Board would uphold the highest standard of leadership, courage and integrity in delivering on the President’s mandate.

READ ALSO: GOCOP to present own book June 17 in Abuja

Bashir Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., said the team had already met with industry stakeholders to review operations and business relationships.

“We have had several meetings, and we have set a direction with the mandate that you have given us. We have commenced the journey with a bi-weekly meeting with stakeholders,” he said.

Ojulari noted that the management had started optimising various aspects of the company, including the turnaround maintenance of the refineries.

He said production had risen to 1.7 million barrels in two months from 1.5 million barrels, with the target of reaching 1.9 million barrels by year-end.

“We will promise what we can deliver, and we will deliver on our promise,” he added.

Ojulari also said the president’s economic reform had sent the right signals to attract foreign direct investments.

He assured that the NNPC Ltd. would operate as a business.

Source: NAN

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Dangote said he visited the president to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team, that is eminently qualified to take NNPCL to a greater height.

According to Dangote, the new management team brings a wealth of technical expertise, and all have managerial experiences that are essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.

The new team, according to Dangote, under the leadership of Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, reflects the president’s strategic intent to drive reform and innovation across the energy sector,” Dangote said.

“We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability.”

READ ALSO: Trump orders 100% tariff on foreign-made movies to save ‘dying’ Hollywood

Reacting to questions from the select media over the weekend on his statement that he is still fighting for the survival of his $20bn refinery, and that he is determined to fight the cabals in the oil sector to a standstill, Dangote said his statement was not in any way connected to the new leadership of the NNPC, noting that the new leadership in the NNPCL, had been so far supportive in terms of meeting the company’s needs.

He revealed that the cabals he was referring to were some major oil marketers and traders who were bent on frustrating the efforts on President Tinubu in revamping the nation’s economy.

He noted that the recent activities and structural reforms introduced by NNPC Limited served as strong indicators of the organisation’s renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he added.

With optimism, Dangote expressed confidence that the new leadership of NNPC Limited would propel the country’s energy industry to new heights and reaffirmed his group’s commitment to supporting the collective vision of a prosperous, energy-secure Nigeria.

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In a statement by the NBBF president, Engr Musa Kida, the federation described the demise of the member of the D’Tigress 2003 Afrobasket Championship as tragic which has left the basketball team in deep shock and state of mourning.

“The former First Bank captain will forever remain in our heart because we have lost an irreplaceable gem. Her career trajectory and achievements indicated that she was a true professional.”

Kida described her as one of the best point guards that ever came out of Nigeria as she strode the domestic and international stage like a colossus.

“Generations to come will read about her and be inspired. She was a good example of what every girl child should be.”

The late Amaka won series of gold and silver medal for the Lagos State women basketball team at the 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006 national sports festival

At the club level, she was part of the invincible First Bank Women’s team that dominated and won the Zenith Women National Basketball league from 2002 to 2009.

READ ALSO: Peter Aluma’s demise leaves NBBF in shock

The former Nigerian international was part of the D’Tigress team that clinched the 2003 and 2005 Afrobasket championship titles and the 2003 All African Games gold medal.

Apart from her string of successes, she was part of the First bank team to win the 2003 and 2009 Afrobasket Club Championships.

She was appointed as First Bank’s assistant coach between 2007 and 2010.

“We pray that her gentle soul finds a perfect peace in the bosom of her maker as those of us left behind deal with the vacuums left in our hearts.”

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The team made up of Ikenna Ndugba (Greensboro Swarm, NBA G League), Uchenna Iroegbu (Free agent), Michael Okiki (Gombe Bulls), Ben Emelogu (Rouen Metropolitan, France), Michael Oriakhi (Rivers Hoopers), Michael Gbinijie (Santa Cruz Warriors, NBA G League) and Ibe Agu (Customs, Abuja) will be coached by Alan Major and assisted by Ogoh Odaudu.

Other players on the list are Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings), Victor Koko (Rivers Hoopers), Christian Mekowolu (Casademont Zaragoza, Spain), TK Edogi (Kolin, Czech Republic) and Emmanuel Omogbo (H.Izrael, Israel).

NBBF president, Engr Musa Kida, announced that Major will deputise for the team’s Head Coach, Mike Brown, that just got named coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Currently ranked first in Africa, Nigeria will open its campaign against Cape Verde on Friday, 1 July before taking on Mali on Saturday.

The last game will be against Uganda on Sunday, 3 July at the BK arena in the capital city of Kigali.

Nigeria sit atop group A with five points from three games.

During this window, 16 teams will compete for the second leg of matches earlier decided in November 2021 and March 2022.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the second round where each team will play six games.

The two top teams in each group, along with the best third-placed team, will qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

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The meeting presided over by its president, Engr Musa Kida, lasted four hours.

It provided an opportunity for all members to come together physically to chart a way forward for the next four years as the board thanked the federal government for their usual support towards developing sports in Nigeria.

While addressing journalists, he disclosed that things had started taking shape with the domestic activities set to tip-off after the traditional stakeholders’ meeting.

“The fact that we can meet today and the Secretary-General who is a ministry staff is here and the Assistant SG is also here means that the ministry is already participating in what we do. Going forward, I think it is much brighter than we have experienced in the past, where we are going to have the desired collaboration with the ministry to execute our programmes.”

The federation maintained that it had no intention of contesting or competing with the Ministry of Sports in carrying out its statutory functions as the supervisory body but was focused on working out a seamless synergy to accelerate basketball development and growth in Nigeria.

“I will want to make it clear that we, as a board, have no interest whatsoever in contesting with the ministry in its sphere of statutory influence.

“They have their supervisory and statutory job to do by way of supervising bodies like us but they have allowed us to constitute ourselves into federations that can run these activities within the territory of the country,” Kida said.

“I do think we are helping them deliver on basketball development in the country. Going forward, I think the proof is very evident, we are all on board here.”

Present at the meeting were Engr Musa Kida (President), Babs Ogunade (Vice President), Adamu Jalong (North Central Representative), Olumide Oyedeji (South West Representative), Ugo Udezue (South East Representative), Prof Musa Yakassai (NapherSD), Felix Awogu (Sponsors Representative) and Victor Okoro (Military and Para-Military Representative).

The trio of Col. Samuel Ahmedu (International Representative), Prof. Florence Adeyanju (NAWISS Representative), and Alhaji Abba Kaka Abdulkadir (North East Representative) all joined via zoom.

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In his first official response following the congratulatory message from the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) after the January 31st election in Benin City, Kida said so much time had been wasted on political gimmicks which had adversely affected domestic basketball.

“Our domestic players have been the worst hit amidst all these distractions because it has been difficult to even engage with sponsors to get needed funds to run the various leagues. Nigerian players deserve more from all of us and we must do better.

“The national teams have been going for international competitions in their bid to qualify for the Afrobasket for men and the 2022 World Cup for women because the federation had on several occasions shifted grounds in the interest of Nigeria.”

The NBBF president described as unfortunate the current trend where people intentionally create artificial crises just to make the basketball atmosphere toxic.

“The Federal Government does not fund the domestic leagues, so it is our duty as a board to go out there in search of sponsors and partners. Sadly, getting partners has been extremely difficult because of the unnecessary bickering.”

He enjoined all stakeholders to join hands with the federation to create a domestic basketball system that will be all inclusive.

“Not everybody can be on the NBBF board at the same time. We need to support those there right now so that when it is your turn, you will have an existing structure to contribute your quota,” Kida concluded.

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Head Coach, UNIMAID, Yakubu Usman, while speaking with journalists during a friendly match held in honour of Kida in Maiduguri said his tremendous support played a huge role in encouraging the players and giving them the best preparation to emerge from the North East on the back of an unbeaten run.

“His help has been so huge and this friendly in his honour is just our own little way of saying thank you for all he has done till now. His coming here is a big plus for the university and Borno State at large because there is no way he is going to walk away and leave us like this.”

A basketball veteran and Assistant Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Umar Usman Bala advised upcoming players to consider Kida’s visit as a great challenge and huge inspiration to follow their dreams.

“Everyone of them will like to live up to expectation as well as have a dream of becoming the president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation in the near future. So, his coming here is a great encouragement to us and at the same time that will encourage the young ones in the field of basketball to do better.”

Explaining the reason behind the friendly which took place over the weekend, UNIMAID Deputy Director, Sport, Dr Kamari Abdulkadir, revealed that Kida’s efforts in giving back to his alma mater and development of Nigerian basketball at the national level had been tremendous and unprecedented.

“These players went to Gombe for the preliminaries and conquered all to qualify for NUGA. We just want to show him a bit of what they did there, appreciate his efforts and that is why you can see him here today.”

While thanking all who made the occasion possible, Kida announced that in line with the mandate of the NBBF board, upcoming players will be provided an enabling environment to succeed.

“We are working round the clock to provide an enabling environment for them that they can exercise their talents to the best.

“Again, they need to play games, have their eyes on the ball and I am sure I will see some of them in the NBA in a few years to come,” he concluded.

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The team led by Coach Otis Hughley did just enough to rally back from a 17pt deficit in the first quarter to snatch a win and book their second consecutive World Cup outing with a game to spare.

Second quarter saw a more purposeful and dominant D’Tigress crawl their way back into the game with a 16-10pts win to close the first half 27-38.

Not comfortable with the scores, the team applied more pressure to win the third quarter 21-14 before another impressive 19-13pts finish in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

An ecstatic President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr Musa Kida, described the win as a result of hard work and steady growth since 2017.

“We are excited about where we are and what we have been able to achieve. This is not just another result because it is a result that we are going to celebrate for a long time to come.”

“We are seeing a team that learnt a lot from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2021 Afrobasket win. The growth has been steady and consistent and we are not surprised that the results have continued to bear testament to what we are trying to achieve.”

Victoria Macaulay shouldered the scoring burden on the night with 19 points while contributing 4 assists.

The Galatasaray of Turkey centre also did some work defensively with 4 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks to help the team secure its first ever win against France.

“We will like to appreciate His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his fatherly support towards the team. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, has also been solidly behind us through thick and thin.

“This victory and ticket would not have been possible without them.”

The French girls will not forget Oderah Chidom in a hurry after contributing 13pts, 5assts and 6rebs to avenge the 2020 Olympics and 2018 FIBA World Cup defeats.

Promise Amukamara and Adaora Elonu added 10pts each to seal a victory for the team.

Second placed Nigeria will face Mali at noon on Saturday while France will hope to bounce back when they meet China.

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The federation led by Engr Musa Kida said an inclusive administration where all stakeholders would have a place in the scheme of things will be at the forefront of its administration’s programmes.

He commended the organisers of the Elite Crown basketball championship led by former Nigerian players, Louis Eden and Hanson Onuche for giving teams across Nigeria a taste of basketball action which lasted five days.

“We want more of these initiatives that will provide a competitive opportunity for players based in Nigeria to compete fairly amongst each other. This is a welcome development which we will be proud to associate with in the future.

“We had some of our board members on ground to watch in their personal capacities and we are excited about what we saw.

“The game belongs to everybody. Not everybody can be a board member or even stay active forever as a player, but we should all strive to contribute our quota to the game anytime the need arises,” he said.

The NBBF encouraged all concerned stakeholders to join hands with the federation to make basketball a viable sport where everybody can operate like one big family.

“We are ready to accommodate all basketball initiatives, leagues and programmes with players at the forefront of our mission,” Kida added.

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The latest cash rain for coaches and players came at the behest of the outgoing South-South Zonal representative on the board of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, Engr Musa Kida.

Rivers defeated Bauchi 16-15pts in the 3×3 boys finals while Bayelsa successfully defended their National Youth Games titles in the girls category beating Kaduna 16-11pts in the final.

Kida who in the last four years presided over the most successful era in the history of Nigerian basketball doled out cash rewards for coaches and the players.

It is on record that the 3×3 format started in the South South Zone through the Ahmadu Musa Kida, AMK, foundation going round the state capitals annually with its dedicated floors and truck to organise 3×3 basketball competitions before it became a national phenomenon.

He has also gone a step further to facilitate the purchase and distribution of brand new playing shoes for all players of the two teams.

The initiative is to encourage the youngsters to strive for more success as they forge a path in their career.

“At this stage, it was just a significant gesture to let the players and officials know that people are watching. These are still kids whose motivation cannot be money based at this formative stage”, Kida said.

“So, rather than announce a big cash reward for them, we decided to give them stipends while converting the bulk of the cash to sporting gears that will help their development.”

Kida praised Rivers and Bayelsa for being a worthy ambassador of the zone while encouraging other states to emulate the duo.

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