Those hoping to occupy the post of Director General of the National Sports Commission may have to wait for quite a long time, The PUNCH has learnt. Our correspondent learnt on authority that even though some directors have subtly shown interest in the position, there is yet to be official declaration of vacancy in the position vacated by Dr. Patrick Ekeji on April 8.
An aide of the Sports Minister Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi told our correspondent that President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to get official statement on the matter from his minister.
"I am not sure that filling up the position of the DG is of immediate importance as some people view it in the sports circle. For the much I know concerning that position, the minister is yet to formally write to the Presidency concerning any vacancy. That letter will be the first step towards getting a replacement for Ekeji and so we are still far from there," he said.
Ekeji retired from the position after eight years as the administrative head of Nigeria's highest sports organ. He had retired years back but was asked to continue on a contract basis. He handed over to Mustapha Mohammed, the current director of finance and administration at the NSC.
The aide also said that the Sports Minister and the NSC officials were currently occupied with so many events such that the DG's position had become quite secondary.
"There's somebody acting in that capacity now and he is not new to the workings of the commission which is okay with the minister; there's nothing to worry about. There's the National Council on Sports meeting in Ilorin and after that so many competitions involving the national football teams. Funding these programmes is quite a huge challenge and so there are a lot of things to bother about than that office," he added.
At the time of Ekeji's retirement, names like Mr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Al Hassan Yakmut were mentioned as possible replacement. The pressure by friends campaigning for so many other candidates who are not even in the Ministry of Sports has gone down.
The Director General is appointed by the President.
