The Birth of NIAA

In Houston, Texas — October 28, 2000

Prof. Nwafijoku Okolie Uwadibie

Minutes of Inaugural Meeting.

On October 28, 2000, Nigerian Athletes of all sports, both former and current, convened in Houston Texas for two principle reasons: Firstly, to re-unite and re-acquaint themselves once again. Secondly, we came together in Houston to develop plans for improving the condition of Nigerian Athletes, find ways and means to contribute positively to the development of sports in Nigeria and assist Nigerian youth to achieve their God given potential in sports.

At about 2 PM Houston time Mr. Ruks Bazunu one of the organizing members welcomed the athletes. Dr. Bruce T. Ijirigho said prayer and a moment of silence was held for deceased athletes and coaches. There was a brief introduction of the attendees to allow members to get to know each other.

At the end of self-introduction, Mr. Bazunu gave the History of Sports in Nigeria. This was an attempt to educate and to remind the attendees of how sports has faired in Nigeria. The history then led us into the purpose of the convention.

Dr. Ijirigho at this point explained to the audience the reasons behind the Houston Convention. He emphasized that we must come together to change the direction of sports in Nigeria by acting as influencing group to sports governing body in Nigeria. This he said will move sport forward and create environment that will benefit our current athletes.

Mr. Harrison Salami reiterated that athlete’s welfare is of paramount importance. That we as athletes former and current must support one another financially, morally and emotionally. He went on to say that friendship and camaraderie is necessary to accomplish this goal. That we as a group must come together to stop the injustices done to Nigerian athletes by Nigerian officials. That in conjunction with the people at home, we must all decide who is selected to represent the country in all sports. Mr. Celestine Okwilagwe followed with the issue of networking and its importance for us both in the US and at home. Mr. Sule Alli spoke about the importance of representing the interest of the athlete as an organized force. He continued by saying that in order to use this organization to leverage our cause, we must search for excellence by avoiding mistakes and staying away from participating in illegal deals. He said that we must have passion, which he believes will lead the organization to “do the right thing”. To have passion he said, we must put aside “self interest”.

There were many other encouraging speeches some encouraged athletes that are contemplating to quit not to do so. Others were directed at the corrupt officials of Nigerian sports who simply are interested in money and not in success of the athletes. Others spoke of “Ethnic Politics” of selecting athletes which boarders on nepotism. Some spoke of seeking for new ways to sponsor our athletes with less dependence on the government. Some suggested that we must form an organization that must liaison with sister organizations in Europe and Africa. Others said that we as group have the resources among us to make a champion athlete and we must seek for resources among ourselves. In conclusion to this part of the agenda, a speaker suggested that the old Hussy Shield competition must return. That there must be transparency in the selection of athletes, we must endeavor to sponsor a few athlete as a group or an organization. That we must communicate with the Minister of Sports about the status of Hussey Shield, Grier Cup, Powell Cup and other sports competitions in order to put back on track the framework of sports that we use to be proud of. Another speaker bemoaned that we must work with the newspapers in Nigeria and that we must have a secretariat if we chose to become an organized body. That we need sports director, consultants, lobbyists, psychologist etc that will make the organization viable.

After this general discussion, Mr. Bazunu called for a motion to form an organization. The motion carried unanimously to form an organization that will encompass all Sports.

Name: The Name of the organization was voted on and unanimously agreed to be called NIGERIAN INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES ASSOCIATION (NIAA).

Caretaker Committee: A caretaker committee was appointed to oversea the business of the organization. The group that put together the Houston Convention was unanimously appointed to continue until election is held. They are: Moses Ugbisie, Moses Adebanji, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Celestine Okwilagwe, Bruce Ijirigho, Ruks Bazunu, Harrison Salami, Rose Jackson, Tutu Ogunde, Bose Oseni and Paul Emordi.

Charge: The committee was charged to accomplish the following:

• Drafting of Constitution to be voted on in the next convention.
• Registration of the organization and institute the process for 501C (3)
• Registration of Domain name and Website.
• Publish at least one newsletter a year

Funding: The organization agreed that until a constitution is in place funding of the organization’s expenses shall come from payment of the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) per athlete to the treasurer who will be selected by the Caretaker Committee. The amount is due to the treasurer as soon as the committee calls for the payment. All members on record including those who have the intent to become members must pay this amount.

Next Convention: The organization voted to hold the next convention in Phoenix, Arizona and set the date for the last weekend of October 2001.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM Houston time.

Next NIAA Convention in Phoenix, Arizona- October 26 to 28, 2001

Hotel registration deadline is August 31,2001

Harrison Salami

Pro-tem Secretary

Plans are already in high gear for hosting the 2001 NIAA convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The Convention is taking place at the Quality Hotel and Resort, 3600 North 2nd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. Telephone: (602) 248-0222; Fax: (602) 248-0466. Room Rates are $58.00 plus tax, for single or double occupancy. It is very important for everyone to call and make their reservations no later than August 31, 2001. The Hotel has blocked off 40 rooms each night for NIAA. Reservations received after the cut off date are subject to availability at prevailing rates. When you call to make your reservations, ask for Ms. Santina Di Paola and mention that you are a member of the NIAA to get the special rate. Members are encouraged to share rooms to minimize the cost of attendance. Those who can afford it are encouraged to bring their children along because the hotel has lots of activities for children and the rooms are spacious with sleeper couch and extra bed space. Most importantly, it is affordable and we can bring Nigerian food to our activities. Transportation from Phoenix Sky Habor airport to the hotel will be provided by VIP Transportation. Call 602 403-7180 and ask for Mr. Howard Clifton. The fare will be $10 per person.

Membership Information and Annual Dues

Let me emphasize that those who plan to attend must confirm as soon as possible by sending the following information: Name, current address, telephone number, Fax number, email address, sport participated in, University or College attended or currently attending, and years attended. This information is required for the Special Convention Souvenir Brochure, to ensure an accurate head count, and to facilitate room and board and other necessary arrangements. Please send this information no later than September 15, 2001, to Mr. Harrison Salami, (Secretary NIAA), P. O. Box 941133, Plano, Texas 75094. Due to time constraints and to avoid confusion at this time, please attach a cashiers check or money order for $100 to the information you are sending to Mr. Salami. This is to cover your annual dues for 2001. It is needed to defray the cost of the convention. Mr. Salami will forward a list of those who paid and the checks to the Treasurer and Financial Secretary. Please make a photocopy of your remittance for your records.

Sports Development Projects In Nigeria

Every member should start thinking of one or a few projects that the NIAA can implement in Nigeria within our budget during the 2001/2002 year. These could be scholarships, at the secondary school levels to promising athletes, organizing competitions, sending equipment to athletes etc. etc. These ideas should be ready for debate and adoption during the 2001 conference. We can only ensure greatness for future generation of Nigerian athletes by making our presence felt now, through our collective efforts to create a conducive atmosphere for talent to blossom. Now is the time to put on our thinking caps and put our money where our mouth is. Please bring lots of ideas on how we can raise funds to implement our programs during the coming years.

NIAA Convention – Tentative Agenda

This convention is going to be a blast for all those who make the effort to attend. Ideas for inclusion in the convention agenda should be forwarded to Mr. Harrison Salami ASAP. Tentatively, here are the plans we have for your enjoyment during the few days you will be in the desert. Our main goal is to make your stay as lively and enjoyable as possible. Everyone should endeavor to arrive early on October 26, 2001. That Friday evening, we are planning a reception party at the hotel. The hotel has excellent facilities for a nice outdoor night reception. We plan to have food and drinks for the reception. Come and reunite with old friends, share your stories and experiences since the last time you saw each other. Remember, athletes are a very humorous and fun loving bunch of people. So don’t forget your sense of humor at home.

Our people say crocodile and lizard na broda. Only say one dey for navy and the other one dey for army. So, we all na brodas and sisters in sports, abi? Then, make all una come Phoenix come answer una papa name.

Saturday October 27, 2001 is the main convention event. We do not care how much ogogoro you nak the night before or when you went to bed. The convention proceedings will commence at 9:30 am prompt. No Nigerian time. At the appointed time, all members must be seated and ready to deliberate on the burning issues that has brought us together. NIAA will provide a buffet lunch for all convention participants at 12:00 noon. Due to our meager resources, we are only able to feed paid convention participants at lunch. All other activities will include members and their families. After lunch, we continue deliberations at 1:00 PM and end at 3:00 PM. After the convention, members will be free to go sight seeing or visit friends in town. At 7:00 PM, dignitaries and invitees will start arriving for the banquet. The banquet should kick off at 7:30 PM and end at 1:00 am. Dress code for the banquet will be Nigerian or European formal wears.

Tit Bits

The initial plan to honor some former athletes and sports administrators has been shelved for now. It has been rightly suggested that we should develop the criteria and guidelines for selecting honorees before we embark on a well-intentioned project that could easily get out of control. In effect, we were putting the cart before the horse. A committee will be set up during the conference to work out the modalities and establish guidelines for the Honor or Hall of Fame program.

Soccer

If you have not already heard, after a very shaky start the Nigerian Super Eagles soccer team is back on track again in the quest to qualify for the 2002 world cup. Yes, they have been kicking some a– in addition to football since they got rid of their foreign born coach. The guy was more of a distraction (nuisance) than an asset. Since his firing, the team has won all their four matches, including a 4-0 a– kicking of Sudan in Sudan. I doff my hat for the guys and their new team of Nigerian coaches. “Khaki no be leather”. The last hurdle to qualify for the world cup is the encounter with Ghana on July 28, 2001, in Port Hacourt. You know these two teams are thorns in each other’s flesh. But dis one na do or die oh!