Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has described the late former president of then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima as a leader, guiding light, mentor and father figure.
Sports247 reports that Dikko, who was present at the burial of Galadima in Kano on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow over the iconic football administrator’s death, which he said is a profound loss to Nigerian sports in general.
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Dikko, who served as FIFA Goal Project Manager for Nigeria under Galadima’s leadership in July 2004, added that the late administrator was a selfless patriot, who placed national interest above personal gain and worked for the collective good.
“He was more than a leader; he was a guiding light, mentor and a father figure to many of us who had the privilege of working under and alongside him. His passion for national development was unmatched.
“He consistently demonstrated incredible commitment to building structures that would stand the test of time and I was privileged to have worked so closely with him as one of his mentees and strategic advisors.
“(While working together with him) throughout his time at the helm of the NFA between 2002-2006 (I) indeed learnt a lot that shaped my involvement in sports administration and public service.
“He was a man of integrity, honesty, straightforward, wisdom, and quiet strength, someone who believed deeply in the power of sports as a tool for unity and national development. His life was defined by selfless service.
“His impact will continue to resonate across generations and history will be very kind to him. Until his death, he had been an advisor to us at the Commission. He was always available to offer suggestions towards advancement of Nigerian sports.
“He understood the importance of aligning Nigerian football with international best practices, and he worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality in spite of all the challenges and deliberate disruption of the system,” Dikko eulogised.
Sports247 recalls that the NSC chairman also served as a strategy consultant under Galadima’s leadership during a technical agreement between NFA/Nigeria Football League and English Premier League/ FA in London in August 2005.
