Habu Gumel, president of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), has paid tribute to the late former president of the defunct Nigerian Football Association (NFA), Ibrahim Galadima, describing him as a towering figure in Nigerian sports.

Mr Gumel, in a statement issued on Monday by the NOC public relations officer (PRO), Tony Nezianya, described the former patron of NOC as a visionary leader.

“It is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of loss that I received the news of the passing of Galadima, a towering figure in Nigerian sports and a former chairman of NFF.

“On behalf of NOC and the entire Olympic Movement in Nigeria, I extend my deepest condolences to the Galadima family, the government and people of Kano State, and the global sports community.

“Galadima was more than just an administrator; he was a ‘principled visionary’ who dedicated his life to the elevation of Nigerian sports,” he said.

Mr Gumel also highlighted the contributions of Mr Galadima, who was instrumental in several key areas in Nigerian sports.

He described Mr Galadima as a leader with integrity, noting that the late former NFA boss was known for his unwavering stance on transparency and the professionalisation of football administration

during his tenure.

“As a patron of the NOC, he provided invaluable wisdom and stability, ensuring that the ideals of Olympism were upheld across all sporting federations.

“His impact on the grassroots level in Kano State remained a blueprint for how regional sports should be managed and nurtured,” he said.

Mr Gumel also described the passage of Mr Galadima as a personal loss to him.

“Ibrahim was a brother, a confidant, and a dependable ally in our collective quest to put Nigeria on the global sporting map.

“His exit leaves a vacuum that will be incredibly difficult to fill. He was a man of immense grace, even in the face of the most daunting administrative challenges.

“We pray that the Almighty grants his soul eternal rest and Al-Jannah Firdaus. May his family find the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. His name is forever etched in the annals of Nigerian sports history. Rest in peace, chairman,” he said. 

(NAN)