Posted by Obafemi Obadare and Oluwole Josiah, Abuja on
President Olusegun Obasanjo effected a change of guards at the Ministry of Sports and Social Development on Wednesday after a cabinet reshuffle.
President Olusegun Obasanjo effected a change of guards at the Ministry of Sports and Social Development on Wednesday after a cabinet reshuffle.
In the exercise, Col Musa Mohammed (rtd), was moved from the Sports Ministry to Special Duties. He was replaced by Ambassador Sama'ila B Sambawa, a former Minister of State in the External and Internal Affairs ministries.
The new sports minister hails from Kebbi State and has no known background in sports administration.
Mohammed, from Gombe State, assumed duties at the ministry mid-2003, as preparations for the 8th All Africa Games, hosted by Nigeria in October of that year reached its climax.
He had replaced Stephen Akiga from Benue State, who died last year.
Mohammed performed his last official function as sports minister on Tuesday in Lagos where he joined the Flying Eagles, who were hosted to a reception by telecomm company, Globacom, for their silver medal outing at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland.
However, Sambawa promised after his inauguration on Wednesday to use his 'contacts in government to reposition sports in Nigeria."
The Punch, Thursday, July 14, 2005