Basketball has been highlighted as a veritable tool to curb insurgency in the North East region, youth restiveness, and unemployment in Nigeria.
This assertion was made by the North-East zone representative on the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Alhaji Abba Kaka.
Kaka who is the Chairman, Borno State Basketball Association made this known while addressing stakeholders at the Annual General Meeting of the association in Maiduguri at the weekend.
“Nigeria has a young population which is a blessing in disguise if well harnessed. This population can channel their energy into sports which will not only solve the problem we face as a nation but turn to a goldmine in boosting the economy.
“The recent nationwide protest by youths across Nigeria is an indication of an urgent need to address youth restiveness if we are to avoid the landmine ahead”, Kaka said
Earlier, the state basketball association organised a 5-day Clinic to train youths in the North East Zone- Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Yobe and Bauchi by FIBA Badged Referees from Lagos and Abuja.
The Borno state chairman commended his board members, participants, and the trainers for a job well done, noting that such training was taking place in the zone for the first time.
While addressing the meeting, he briefed them about the NBBF’s effort in attracting and securing a 150 Million Naira Sponsorship from Total oil E&P for the Men’s Division 1 and 2 while assuring them of Zenith Bank’s continued commitment to the Women’s League.
Kaka commended the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zuum for hosting the Youth Summit and the introduction of the 25 Year Development Plan with immediate, strategic, medium and long implementation phases targeted at rebuilding the state.
“I must thank his Excellency, Prof Zulum for his vision for a new Borno State, the Borno State Ministry of Sports and the Sports Council for their unflinching support as well as the board of the NBBF for providing the needed leadership for the continued growth of basketball in Nigeria”.
