The incumbent president, Engr Habu Gumel, was re-elected at the Nigeria Olympic Committee's (NOC) annual election congress, which was held yesterday in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state, with 21 votes against his nearest rival, Engr Sani Ndanusa, who received 19 votes.
In the executive chambers of the Government House in Jalingo, Taraba State, the 42 delegates to the NOC's 2022 annual general meeting and elective congress cast their votes.
In addition, Tunde Popoola, who resigned from his job as Secretary General of the NOC four years ago, has been appointed again after barely defeating two other candidates. The former hockey international received 24 votes, significantly behind Toyin Aluko's (5) and Samuel Adeyinka's (2) competitors (11).
Gumel, recently elected for a fifth term as NOC President, has held the office for the longest time.
In his acceptance address, Gumel emphasised that the election was intended to enhance the committee rather than sow strife. He urged everyone to cooperate to help Nigeria at the 2024 Olympics.
"These elections were not meant to split the Olympic family," Gumel said. "Rather, they were intended to deepen our democratic process and further reinforce our sporting value principles, as one harmonious unit, in keeping with globally recognised best practices."
He declared he wanted to determine ways to improve the NOC's finances so they could achieve their objectives.
“One thing that this new administration will endeavour to focus on in the next four years is how to position the NOC family on a formidable financial platform that will ensure the delivery of stakeholders’ expectations. This is one objective we all have to pursue vigorously jointly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Olabisi Joseph, President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), was voted as the fourth Vice President of the NOC, receiving 23 votes to Rahinatu Garba’s nine and Hauwa Kulu-Adeyemi’s 5.
Solomon Ogba, a former president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), defeated Francis Orbih, president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), 24-16, to become the first Vice President of the NOC.
Vice President Ishaku Tikon returned to his post as president of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), while Assistant Secretary-General Abdullahi was elected unopposed.
Musa Kida, president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), was also elected as the treasurer of NOC. At the same time, Tony Nezianya, Olufemi Adetula’s predecessor, was voted to the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO).
Olumide Oyedeji, a former basketball team captain, defeated Daniel Igali, the president of the Wrestling Federation of Nigeria and the commissioner for sports in Bayelsa State, to become the third Vice President.