Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist, Tafida Gadzama, has thanked Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for listening to his voice as well as those of millions of others who called for the removal of John Owan Enoh as the Minister of Sports Development and for returning the National Sports Commission.
Gadzama, who helped Nigeria secured her first relay gold medal at the Olympics and ran the first leg a year earlier for the 4x400m team that won the gold medal at the 1999 African Games in Johannesburg, South Africa, also thanked the President for appointing Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of the NSC.
‘Thank you, Mr. President, for not only removing Mr Enoh but for also scrapping the Federal Ministry of Sports Development which has become a haven for corruption. Nigerians, especially sports men and women will be eternally grateful to you for bringing back the National Sports Commission and for appointing Dikko as the Chairman,’ said Gadzama in a chat with reporters from his base in the United Kingdom.
Gadzama recalls it was the defunct National Sports Commission that provided the solid foundation for Nigeria’s impressive performances in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.
‘I believe Dikko can lay another solid foundation that will berth a new era in sports in Nigeria and bring in the needed funding without necessarily running to government always. He has crisscrossed the world in charge of knowledge to become a better sports administrator and a better sports marketer.
‘He has held important positions in sports in and outside Nigeria that have given him the required experience to hit the ground running when he eventually resumes as the leader of sports in Nigeria.
‘He is someone who possesses a combination of skills and qualities that will enable him to effectively manage and promote sports organizations, clubs, or events. He has the ability to clearly convey information and build relationships with athletes, coaches, and stakeholders.
‘I am confident his passion for sports and proficiency in planning, scheduling, and managing events and activities will make him that game changer we have been yearning for in Nigeria,’ said Gadzama who is also the first Vice President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.
