By: Jacob Onjewu Dickson
It was on a Monday evening, after the close of work for the day, when the Media Centre of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS), Kaduna, came alive with several dignitaries thronging the venue.
As early as 9 a.m. on that memorable day, January 6, 2025, a lot of preparations were being put in place to ensure the venue was colorful enough, given the importance attached and the dignitaries expected from far and near.

The organizers anticipated the event for 4 p.m.; however, before the slated time, the parking lot in front of the entrance to the main bowl and, by extension, the media centre was filled with several flashy cars, indicating the caliber of dignitaries already on ground.
Being a surprise arrangement, the event had to be postponed twice, bearing in mind that the man whom the cap fits, President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, had to be in town before he could be lured to the venue.
Engr Nimrod was then in the North East to ensure the smooth conduct of a football competition he sponsored in Adamawa
While the organizing committee was at the planning stage, the date picked was December 28, 2024, and all arrangements were geared toward that date, including the branding of gifts and the plaque that were to be presented.

That date could not be realized because it was reliably gathered that Engineer Nimrod was then in the North East to ensure the smooth conduct of a football competition he sponsored in Adamawa.
The organizing committee was not deterred, but fixed another date, January 5, which was also promptly postponed to the following day, January 6, which will certainly go down in history as the day the Kaduna State Volleyball Association (KADSVA) honored its chairman, Engineer Musa Nimrod, who has, for over a decade, been developing sports in general, especially volleyball, at the state and national levels.
Nimrod is a shining light in Kaduna State’s sports development
The last postponement came as a result of the insistence of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports Development, Professor Ben Gugong, who insisted there was no way he would miss such a high-profile event that was expected to attract key stakeholders in the state and nation.
According to Professor Gugong, Nimrod is a shining light in Kaduna State’s sports development; hence, he couldn’t afford to miss a rare opportunity to be present on a day he would be honored.

So the D-Day finally arrived, and the award plaque and souvenirs were presented to the delight of all present.
It was a gathering that will redefine sports administration in the state, judging from the caliber of dignitaries in attendance.
Tributes poured in at the ceremony, which lasted into the night, with the number one sports writer, President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, capping it off with his remarks.
It is apparent that Engineer Nimrod is one who has no hiding place as a philanthropic sports administrator
He told the gathering that the adage stating that a golden fish has no hiding place is true, and it is apparent that Engineer Nimrod is one who has no hiding place as a philanthropic sports administrator.
He further disclosed that in view of his tremendous contributions to sports in Nigeria and Africa, National SWAN has written to him to serve as a patron and is patiently awaiting him to choose a date and place where all the national officers will gather to decorate him.
On how the award by KADSVA came about, the chairman of the planning committee, Lt. Col. J. Gidanmana Usman, informed his members that the idea was birthed in December of the previous year in Abuja during the Africa Military Games, where Engineer Nimrod stood tall as a pillar.
He said that it was after the games that he gathered other members of the KADSVA executive and kick-started the process.
With all seriousness, he led the committee members and ensured they taxed themselves to raise the funds to organize the event, which the SWAN President confessed, in his remarks, the sports writers have learned a lot from.
Though the award has come and gone, it has created a lasting impression on the minds of all who attended.
By giving him a pat on the back for revolutionizing sports administration in Nigeria
It would be unfair to conclude this write-up without recognizing the noble gentlemen and ladies who have etched their names in gold by going all the way to sacrifice and crown the well-deserved recipient, Engineer Nimrod, by giving him a pat on the back for revolutionizing sports administration in Nigeria.
The organizing committee members are:
1. Lt. Col. J.G. Usman – Chairman
2. Prof. Simon Katung – Member
3. Prof. Mukhtari Mahmud – Member
4. Madam Sheba Jefferson – Member
5. Madam Florence Yori – Member
6. Madam Charity Philibus – Member
7. Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson – Member
8. Malam Adamu Mohammed – Member
9. Mr. Gajere J. Polycarp – Member
10. Mr. Danjuma Joe Dangana – Secretary