24th January, 2021
By Olanrewaju Akojede
The sports fraternity has again been thrown into mourning as the Director of Nigeria’s foremost National Institute for Sports (NISports), Dr John Dadi-Mamud, was confirmed dead on Sunday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dadi-Mamud, a sports administrator and teacher at the 49-year-old NISports, showed no sign of sickness prior to the announcement of his untimely death.
Confirming the news of Dadi-Mamud’s demise, the NISports Registrar, Musibau Adeneye, with a tone dull of grief, said his death was unfortunate.
“His death came as a rude shock because he showed no sign of illness as at the last Thursday he presided over a management meeting.
“He was dear to all of us at the institute and a father-like figure to the students as well. He will be sorely missed by everyone. This is a sad day,” he lamented.
Reacting, the Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, Debo Oshundun, spared no emotion in describing the untimely passage of the sports enigma whom, he described as a through bred professional.
“This is a rude shock to all of us all in sports family, coming at a time when we are still mourning the death of another sports icon, Joe Erico, who died late last week.
“Here we are mourning the departure of another of our own, this of course is a trying moment for the sports fraternity in general.
“Dadi-Mamud was a known person to me, I had a close relationship with him since I was a postgraduate student at the institute,” Oshundun said.
“He was my lecturer during my post-graduate course.
“Dadi was loved by everyone and he was appointed the Director in the twilight of the last Sports Minister, Solomon Dalong.
“He was a through bred professional who rose through the ranks.”
Oshundun prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed sports icon.
NAN also reports that the institute was established in 1972 and dedicated to higher performance in sports and has over the years produced 15,000 manpower who have continued to place Nigeria on the podium in the global arena.