Destiny returned Dikko to sports administration

We all cannot be masters, and all masters cannot be truly followed, so said William Shakespeare in Othelo. While some masters go the extra mile in search of satanic powers to gain wealth, fame and attract patronage, others, through their efforts, work hard and till to acquire basic knowledge, education, skills and good character to enable them reach the echelon of their career and even higher heights in leadership positions. 

William Shakespeare in one of his works of the art, reminds me of how some people were born great, others who don’t have easy access to the necessities of life due to their faulty family background, yet with determination and bull dog tenacity spirit, strived hard against all odds to get to where they are now! Others due to the solid foundations laid by their predecessors or ancestors, have greatness thrust upon them without any struggle or stress to succeed in life.

Altogether, the qualities emphasised above capture the background of one of Nigeria’s uprising leader in the public sector and sports administration in particular. This patriot of no mean repute is Mallam Shehu Dikko, the recently appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), a position which by all standard is equivalent to the office of the Minister of Sports. This is so because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has scrapped the Ministry of Sports. 

Dr Dikko could aptly be described as a leader born with golden spoon and as someone who worked hard to be successful in life. This is true because, he has seen both the negative and positive side of life in his determination to be successful and to use the proceeds to better the lives of humanity, irrespective of tribe, religion, or political affiliation. 

That’s why when some years ago, some disgruntled elements conspired to destroy his hard earned reputation over an unverified and baseless allegation on his tenure as chairman of the Nigerian National Local League, many who know his incorruptible leadership pedigree stood up in his staunch defence. They saw whole drama as a plot by some disgruntled elements to discredit his enviable profile which is appears to a threat to their satanic agenda.  

Thus, when some media activists like my humble self were approached by those disgruntled elements with documents to be published in order to instigate his disqualification as the chairman of the NSC, I immediately turned it down. This was because the allegation was just was just a plot to frustrate his ambition which God in his infinite powers gave him the strength to overcome. Not a few Nigerians were excited when news broke on October 3, 2024, that President Tinubu has found Dr. Shehu Dikko worthy as an excellent administrator with versatile knowledge, experience and wisdom in the management of Nigeria’s sports sector and appointed him the NSC chairman. 

To sports enthusiasts, President Tinubu’s choice of Dikko as the head of the NSC was the best for the nation’s sports development. This is based on the physical and intellectual capacities of Dr. Dikko which he has continuously deployed to accomplish every task given to him. So, they believe he will no doubt apply the same leadership prowess to improve that sports administration in Nigeria to international standard where our athletes can confidently and successfully  compete on the global stage. 

So, Dikko’s appointment received overwhelming accolades across Nigeria and even outside the shores of Nigeria. The indefatigable leader, with a large heart to accommodate every Nigerian, in 2008, spearheaded the drafting of the Sports Commission Bill operating then as a valuable consultant to the House of Representatives; a task he put a lot of energy, time and resources to ensure it sees the light of the day. By divine providence, the same Bill he vigorously pursued 16 years ago, has prompted his appointment as the NSC chairman and thereby implementing his own legal framework. 

As I took time to dig into the mission statement of Dr. Dikko Shehu, I stumbled on this three pragmatic agenda which align with the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu administration as it relates to sports. They include; prioritising domestic sports infrastructure development, and talent hunt and development. So, Mallam Dikko is a square peg in a square hole as NSC chairman. 

He assumed the position well prepared with all the required knowledge, wisdom and experience to transform the NSC. He is a leadership wizard and sports administrator par excellence, a onetime chairman of Nigeria League Management Company with a mandate to manage the Nigeria professional league and, as expected, excellently performed far above expectations. I appeal to the highly intelligent, honest and hardworking football administrator Mallam Dikko to please consider the following important skills that when properly harnessed will help him achieve his mandate at the NSC. 

The first is communication. Communication is very important for him to run a highly successful sports administration in Nigeria. At all-time communicate whatever necessary details that can ensure good results for the sports commission to your subordinates and the beneficiaries. Next is conflict management both within and outside the NSC. Others are adaptability, time management, creativity, and analytical skills. With these skills, which given your leadership acumen you already know, I believe within the next few months you will achieve impressive results at the sports commission.