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“End the Conflicts and Put Basketball First” — Ahmed Tijjani Challenges Incoming NBBF Board Ahead of October 15 Polls

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Kaduna State Basketball Association Chairman Ahmed Tijjani has challenged whoever emerges in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation elections to make reconciliation a priority, insisting Nigerian basketball cannot reach its potential while stakeholders remain divided.

The NBBF Elective Congress is scheduled for October 15, 2026 in Abuja, when a new board for the 2026–2030 cycle is expected to emerge. The timetable was unanimously approved at the federation’s Extraordinary Congress in Yola, attended by 39 of 44 accredited delegates.

For Tijjani, however, electing new officials will mean little unless the incoming leadership succeeds in bringing together a basketball community that has endured years of administrative disagreements.

The Kaduna basketball chief wants aspirants to look beyond the contest for positions and concentrate on restoring stability, expanding competitions and creating opportunities for young players.

His intervention carries particular weight given Nigerian basketball’s recent history. The federation has previously endured damaging leadership disputes, including the crisis surrounding the 2021 electoral process, when the then Sports Ministry suspended an elective congress because of what it described as lingering factionalisation.

Tijjani believes the next administration must leave that culture behind.

He has also called for a stronger grassroots programme, particularly through schools and age-grade competitions, arguing that basketball can provide opportunities for young Nigerians while creating a sustainable talent pipeline for the national teams.

“We want to get basketball to every level and every age-grade level so we can engage these kids,” Tijjani said recently while speaking for North-West basketball stakeholders.

He also wants greater opportunities created for girls and believes whoever takes control of the federation should build on existing achievements rather than begin another cycle of internal battles.

The October election will mark the end of Musa Kida’s tenure, with the incumbent confirming that he will not seek a third term and promising a free and transparent transition. Elections for players, technical and other affiliate representatives are scheduled between October 7 and 14 before the main congress.

Several interests are already gathering around the race, including former D’Tigers star Ejike Ugboaja and Energy Commission of Nigeria Director-General Mustapha Abdullahi, increasing attention on the direction the federation will take after October 15.

For Tijjani, though, the first assignment for whoever wins is bigger than an electoral victory: Bring Nigerian basketball together, end the cycle of conflict and make development rather than division, the defining story of the next NBBF administration.

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Another Bauchi lawmaker withdraws from 2027 race

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Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election.
Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.

In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.

He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.

He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.

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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.

The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.

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JOS GHETTO STORIES: THE STORIES OF RESILIENCE, DREAMS & GREATNESS

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JOS GHETTO STORIES

Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.

Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.

From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.

Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.

Some go to school with torn shoes.

Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.

And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.

But we are here to tell them something different.

YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.

Your address does not determine your destiny.

The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.

Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.

Look at Jos.

This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.

John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.

Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.

P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.

Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.

And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 

So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”

We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.

We are looking at potential.

We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.

Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:

“I believe in you.”

That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.

We will tell the stories of the streets.

We will show the struggles.

We will celebrate the talent.

We will listen to the dreams.

And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.

Your parents may not have everything.

Your environment may not be perfect.

You may not have the opportunities others have.

But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.

The world may see a child from the slum.

We see a future star.

The world may see a difficult beginning.

We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.

This is Jos Ghetto Stories.

Stories from the streets.

Stories of struggle.

Stories of hope.

Stories of talent.

Stories of resilience.

Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.

Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.

And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.

JOS EVENTS PRESENTS: JOS GHETTO STORIES.

Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.

Dream. Believe. Rise.

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