Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday, announced the death of its Independent Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), Abdulkadir Magaji.
The Director of Public Communications NFF, Ademola Olajire, said in a statement in Lagos that the late Magaji, doubled as the Chairman of the Kaduna State Football Association.
The statement said he gave up the ghost in a Lagos hospital on Tuesday morning at the age of 52, during a battle with cancer.
The statement added that Magaji attended the 72nd General Assembly of NFF that took place at the Best Western Hotel, Lagos on Dec. 18, 2016, where the new board of the NNL was inaugurated.
“A graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Magaji was a two-time Member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
“He was also a two-time Special Adviser on Sports to the Kaduna State Governors, Namadi Sambo and the late Patrick Yakowa.
“He played key roles in Kaduna hosting several matches of the various national teams in the past few years.
“These includes the Super Eagles’ home games against Chad and Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race,’’ the statement said.
According to the statement, the late Magaji was a member of the NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee before he was announced as the independent vice chairman of the NNL in October 2016.
He is survived by his father, wife and three children.
The statement said that the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, mourned the passing of the energetic administrator.
“He was a very committed Member of the Congress, and worked tirelessly for the development of the game both in Kaduna and in the country generally.
“The late Magaji was highly dedicated and focused. The Nigerian football family will miss him dearly.
It added that Sanusi confirmed that the body of the late Magaji would be flown from Lagos to Kaduna and committed to mother earth in Shika, Zaria on Tuesday.
“On Wednesday, an NFF delegation led by the 2nd Vice-President/LMC Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, will pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.
“Also to be on the delegations are Chairman of State FA Chairmen and Member of NFF Executive Committee, and Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
“The delegation will also include the NFF Executive Committee members Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh and Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Dr Sanusi and personal assistant to NFF President, Malam Nasiru Jibril.
- Source - The Sun
