By Daily Sports on June 29, 2020

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has mourned the passing of the Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasiru Ajannah, describing his death as shocking and unfortunate.

The NBBF, in a statement issued by its Media Officer, Afolabi Oni, on Sunday in Ilorin, said it received the new of the death of Ajannah, whom it described as a grassroots sports development exponent, with rude shock.

The statement quoted the NBBF President, Mr Musa Kida, as describing the death, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, as unfortunate and a huge blow to the basketball development in Nigeria.

“Justice Ajannah was a critical stakeholder in basketball in Nigeria and shared one of the core values of this present board in the area of grassroots development through his annual Justice Ajannah Inter-Local Government Basketball competition in Kogi.

“The Nigerian league system (men and women) has benefitted immensely from the talents discovered during this competition, with its 12th edition held last year in Okene.

”Players also participated during off-season to stay in shape and earn bonuses from the competition,” the statement read.

It added that the death of Ajannah, who started his basketball career at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), was shocking to comprehend, re-emphasising the reality about the COVID-19 pandemic, which had continued to increase in Nigeria.

“We will continue to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for God to grant his immediate family, friends, associates and the entire basketball family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late chief judge was part of the old Kwara State Basketball Association between 1980 and 1985, and was also part of the state’s official delegation to the Bendel ‘81 National Sports Festival.

NAN also reports that he was a longstanding patron of the old Kwara State Basketball Association, until Kogi state was created in 1991, and still held the post in the Kogi State Basketball Association until his demise.

The 64-year-old judge died at an Abuja hospital, where he was receiving treatment after showing COVID-19 symptoms. (NAN)

•PHOTO: Late Kogi Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajannah

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 29, 2020

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