By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Newly elected President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mr. Jibril Saidu Ojih has sued for unity amongst stakeholder, transparent leadership, and building on the gains recorded by his predicessor, Mr. Samuel Ocheho.
Ojih who is the representative of the North Central on the HFN Board, and doubles as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Handball Association, defeated Mr. John Oris, who came to the HFN Board as representative of the South-South Zone by 9-5 votes in the presidential election, held on Saturday, in Abuja.
Speaking to the media moments after his victory, Ojih who is also the Chairman of the Kogi State Handball Association, as well as Abuja Veteran Handballers, said he will reach out to all; “without tranquility in the board, and amongst stakeholders, we may never be able to grow the sport rapidly, at both the grassroots, and elite levels”, he said.
The polls conducted at the Indoor Sports Hall, located in Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, also produced season sports administrator, Otunba Sylvester Ikuejamoye as
Vice President.
Like in the presidential election, Otunba Ikuejamoye who returned to the board, as representative of NAPHER-SD, defeated Dr. (Mrs.) Toyin Aluko 9-5.
Earlier on, Gbenga Arole defeated Mr. Osawe 5-1 to emerge as the South-West Zonal Representative on the board.
Outgone President of the HFN Mr. Ocheho, who served two terms and did not seek reelection this time, has since congratulated Mr. Jibril Saidu Ojih on his election as President of the Handball Federation, and wished him success as he steers the handball fraternity in Nigeria to more enviable heights.
Mr. Ocheho also thanked the entire Nigeria Handball Family, especially the media, for the huge support he received in the last eight years.
