By Aderonke Ojo
….Nimrod Bags Another 4 Years as NVBF President, Pledges Fresh Initiatives for Volleyball Growth
Engineer Musa Nimrod has been re-elected as President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), securing another four-year term to steer the affairs of the federation.
Nimrod, whose previous tenure recorded remarkable progress in the development of volleyball both locally and internationally, was returned unopposed after sweeping all 16 votes cast at the elective congress held on Monday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
In the other positions contested, Prince Babatunde Omisore emerged as 1st Vice President, while Architect Adamu Tenimu clinched the 2nd Vice President slot after been voted nine votes against Ezugwu seven votes.
For the Technical Representative, Samuel Timothy had 54 votes against 24 votes Edosa Aye.
The full list of elected board members is as follows:
Newly elected board members of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation
President -Musa Nimrod,1st Vice President – Prince Babatunde Omisore,2nd Vice President – Architect Adamu Tenimu
Representative-
North East- DCP Stephen Hasso (Rtd)
North West – Engineer Musa Nimrod
North Central – Bolcit Amakiri
South West – Prince Babatunde Omisre
South East – Kingsley Nwosu
South South – Famous Daunemigha
Players Representative – Dauda Saje
Technical Representative – Samuel Timothy and sponsor representative, comptroller Frank Onyeka
Speaking after his re-election, Nimrod assured that the new administration will introduce fresh initiatives that will further raise the profile of volleyball in Nigeria.
“We are not dwelling on past achievements but rather on what lies ahead. Over the next four years, our focus will remain on graduate development.
“ We already have structured pathways across categories from U-15, U-17, U-19, U-20, U-23 up to the senior level,” Nimrod said.
He emphasized that major volleyball tours will be strengthened with the support of experienced staff and mentors, while more sponsors are expected to come on board to support the federation’s programmes.
Nimrod also highlighted the federation’s busy calendar for the remainder of the year.
Nigeria will feature at the U-21 Volleyball Championship in Mexico, the U-18 World Championship in Qatar, the Senior World Volleyball Championship in Australia, and the African Youth Games in Angola. Nigerian athletes will also compete at the World Schools Games in China.
“With elections now concluded, our focus is strictly on action. We await the formal inauguration by the National Sports Commission, after which the newly elected board will commence full operations,” Nimrod stated.
Earlier today, Nimrod in his stewardship reports noted that the last four years was a journey of team work and service, of mutual contribution and sharing of ideas by the different caliber of persons that made up the board of the Federation.
“ All major decisions and policy formulation on various subject’s matters passed through mutual interactions and consultation.
“The Board was open to opinion, suggestions and consultations both from internal and external stakeholders.
“ Our doors are open, we work with partners in different categories and pull resources from different sources to see the growth of volleyball in Nigeria,” he said.
In the wake of this Board, two key achievement were sealed. First is the visit by a delegation of the FIVB to Nigeria for assessment and developmental purposes.
Secondly is the nomination and sending of a Technical expert by the world body (FIVB) to help in capacity building for the coaches and players.
These two events helped to step up our performance index in various aspects of volleyball administration and performance.
Every Organization needs a binding rule that will regulate and inspire her members to advance their aspirations for the good and betterment of the establishment.
It is on this premise that the Board deem it fit we draft and activate the Nigeria Volleyball Federation Constitution.
This Constitution was ratified by the international governing body FIVB, NOC and adopted by the National Sports Commission, as a document that will guide the administration of Nigeria Volleyball Federation.
This gathering and the processes that leads to it and our being here today are all products of the regulations as spelt out in the Constitution.
However, the Constitution is not perfect, and is subject to amendments as deem necessary by the Congress,” he said.
He said that the National Volleyball league is one of the successful team sports leagues in Nigeria. Running for 8 season, the last four years was tough and productive.
The burden of sponsoring the league was shifted from the President to a new sponsor which is the Comptroller General of Nigeria Custom Service (Premier) while the Chief of Defence Staff partners with the Federation to sponsor the Division 1 and 2 and Abia State Government.
Today, the Premier League has a total of 24 teams while the Lower division has over 30 teams battling to attain the level of the Premier.
“ The National League has provided a base for the recruitment of Nigeria’s players to professional engagement in different parts of the world.
“ It also serves as a medium for top performing clubs to advance and participate in Continental Clubs championships.
“ In the bid to raise a new generation of volleyball players, a call was made to source and draft young talents with potential heights that are suitable for the sport.
“ One of such camps that have Cascaded to a national program is the NIMRODSIX19 Project. This project is a combination of program aimed at introducing tall boys and girls to volleyball,” he said.
He noted that the NVBF is a self-sustaining Federation, with little or no allocation through the years with the exception of African Games, almost all events participated are from internal sources from other inside the federation as spear headed by the President.
This situation made it very difficult in terms of Preparation,Execution
Welfare,Reward system,Podium finish.
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation does not enjoy funding for the following competitions.;World Championships;African Nations cups;Beach volleyball nations Cup and All continental qualifiers.
This is a challenge we hope to see changes with the coming of the National Sports Commission.Together we can do greater days.