Kaduna Volley surprises NVBF’s Nimrod with Excellence Award

Original article written by: Jacob Onjewu Dickson.

It was a Monday evening, after the working day, that the Media Center at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) in Kaduna saw unprecedented excitement, with many dignitaries invading the venue.

From 9 a.m. on January 6, 2025, a multitude of preparations were underway to make this event a colorful one, considering the importance of the event and the guests expected from near and far.

Although the event was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., the parking lot outside the entrance to the main stadium and media center was already filled with flamboyant cars, testament to the stature of the dignitaries in attendance.

Given the surprise nature of this organization, the ceremony had to be postponed twice, because the main interested party, the President of the Nigerian Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, had to be there before going to the event.

Engineer Nimrod was in the North East at the time to supervise a football tournament he was sponsoring in Adamawa.

At the planning stage, the initial date chosen was December 28, 2024, and all arrangements were geared towards this date, including the branding of the gifts and plaque that were to be presented.

This date could not be met, as it was reliably reported that Engineer Nimrod was in the North East at the time to ensure the smooth running of a football competition he was supporting in Adamawa.

The organizing committee did not let itself be discouraged and set a new date, January 5, which was also quickly postponed to the next day, January 6, which will go down in history as the day when the Volleyball Association Kaduna State Basketball Association (KADSVA) has honored its President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, who for over a decade has worked for the development of sports in general, and particularly volleyball, at the state and national.

Nimrod is a key figure in the development of sport in Kaduna.

The latest postponement was prompted by the insistence of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports, Professor Ben Gugong, who was determined not to miss an event of this magnitude, bringing together key players in the sector.

Professor Gugong said Nimrod was a beacon of sporting development in Kaduna, and so it was essential for him to be present for such a significant day.

Finally, the long-awaited day arrived, with the presentation of honorary plaques and souvenirs, to the great pleasure of the participants.

It was a gathering with the potential to redefine sports administration in the state, given the prestige of the guests present.

Tributes poured in during the ceremony which lasted until late at night, culminating in remarks by the President of the Sports Journalists Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin.

It is clear that Engineer Nimrod has distinguished himself as a philanthropic sports administrator.

He reminded the gathering that the adage that there is no golden fish hiding anywhere is true, and that Engineer Nimrod does not know anonymity as an administrator involved in the sport.

He further mentioned that in view of his immense contributions to sports in Nigeria and Africa, the national SWAN has written to him offering to become its patron and is patiently awaiting his response to fix a date and venue where all members nationals will come together to decorate it.

Regarding the origin of the awarding of this prize by KADSVA, the president of the organizing committee, Lt. Col. J. Gidanmana Usman, explained that the idea was germinated in December of the previous year in Abuja during the African Military Games, where Engineer Nimrod had shone as the mainstay of the event.

He said it was after the games that he assembled the other members of the KADSVA executive board and began the planning process.

Seriously, he led his colleagues to ensure that funds were raised to successfully organize this event, from which the SWAN president admitted that he learned a lot.

Although the award has now been presented, it left a lasting impression on the minds of all those present.

Giving him a pat on the back for revolutionizing sports administration in Nigeria.

It would be unfair to conclude this article without mentioning the worthy ladies and men who worked tirelessly to enhance the merit of Engineer Nimrod, paying tribute to him for the revolutionary work he accomplished in the field of administration sports in Nigeria.

The members of the organizing committee are as follows:

1. Lt.Col. JG Usman – President

2. Prof. Simon Katung – Member

3. Prof. Mukhtari Mahmud – Membre

4. Madame Sheba Jefferson – Member

5. Madame Florence Yori – Member

6. Madame Charity Philibus – Member

7. Jacob Onjewu Dickson Association – Member

8. Malam Adamu Mohammed – Membre

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9. Mr. Gajere J. Polycarp – Member

10. M. Danjuma Joe Dangana – Secretary