President Bola Tinubu has conveyed his sorrow regarding the death of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, a prominent sports administrator and community leader from Kano.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President characterized the passing of the former football promoter and administrator as a significant loss to both sports administration and Nigeria as a nation.
He remarked that Galadima’s impact on the advancement of Nigerian football at both grassroots and elite levels will be cherished by Nigerians for many years to come.
Tinubu extended his condolences to Galadima’s family, the government and citizens of Kano State, as well as the sports community in Nigeria and beyond.
Galadima, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74, had held various roles within the Kano State Government and the Federal Government, including serving as chairman of the Kano State Sports Council and as a two-time commissioner, before taking on several positions in sports administration at the federal level.
He also held the position of president of the now-defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), which was the predecessor to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), from 2002 to 2006.
After retiring from active service, Galadima was honored with a turban and became the Galadiman Fagge, the community leader of his Fagge community in Kano State.
He was laid to rest yesterday in Kano.
In his tribute, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), referred to the late Alhaji Galadima as a mentor, father figure, and a dedicated patriot who prioritized national interests over personal benefits and consistently worked for the common good.
“He was more than just a leader; he was a beacon of guidance, a mentor, and a father figure to many of us who had the honor of working under and alongside him.
”His dedication to national development was unparalleled, and he consistently exhibited remarkable commitment to constructing enduring structures.
I had the honor of working closely with him as one of his mentees and strategic advisors during his leadership of the NFA from 2002 to 2006, and I indeed gained invaluable insights that influenced my participation in sports administration and public service,” Dikko stated.
Additionally, the President of the NFF, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, in his tribute, expressed that the loss of the sports administrator was profoundly difficult to accept.
“This is yet another loss that has deeply affected us.
Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima served as a mentor to many of us currently holding various leadership roles in Nigerian sports.
He embodied the highest standards of dignity, diligence, and integrity.
