By Mishael Emmanuel
The Chairman of the Nasarawa State Basketball Association (NSBBA), Mr. Ayuba Tijani, has fired back at what he called a “toxic campaign of misinformation” targeting the state’s basketball body, warning that the false claims risk damaging the image of Nasarawa sports.
Tijani was reacting to circulated social media reports alleging that organisers of a basketball tournament were denied access to the Lafia Indoor Sports Hall.
The reports, credited to Bek Jang and journalist Afiemo Obaro, also dragged the NSBBA and former NBBF board member, Adamu Deshi, through the mud with what Tijani described as “unprintable accusations.”
According to Tijani, the claims collapse under basic scrutiny.
“First, Mr. Deshi does not reside in Lafia and has absolutely no control over the Indoor Sports Hall,” he said.
“Accusing him of blocking access to a facility he does not manage is disingenuous and misleading.”
Tijani further clarified that the NSBBA never received any formal request to use the hall, which is currently being prepared for one of the state’s biggest annual tournaments in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports.
“You cannot just wake up, post on Facebook and expect access to a public facility,” he stressed. “Basketball administration is not run on social media. There are clear protocols, and writing an official letter is the bare minimum.”
The Nasarawa State Basketball Association (NSBBA), chairman also dismissed claims that the event organisers were acting on information supplied by the State basketball coach, Kassim Mohammed, describing it as another sign of “administrative ignorance.”
“It is disrespectful and improper to even approach the state coach for such matters without the consent of the State Association,” Tijani said, adding that Mohammed has flatly denied giving any information about the hall to anyone.
Labeling the entire episode as “desperation dressed up as activism,” Tijani warned against what he likened to “poison in a clear stream,” urging stakeholders to stop peddling falsehoods for selfish interests and allow basketball development in the state to thrive without distraction.
