By Jimoh Bashir
For Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, popularly known as Thuraya, he is a man of many parts and divides in Nigerian football, and arguably, the future of the game.
He was a doubted personality, but has so far proved doubters wrong; he was being underrated, yet delivering top class administrative capacity; he was being criticised, yet undaunted as he struck with the rules in running football affairs in the state. He started as virtually nobody’s man, today, he is a necessary evil, and the People’s General.
He was doubted, underrated, criticised and abused maybe because of his background, or the route from which he rose to the position. Again, it might not be unconnected with the constituency he came from. He is from the Northern part of the State. But he has continued to make positive difference in Kwara football, with well identified structure and strict adherence to rules and regulations.
Kwara State Football Association was inaugurated since 1973, and the administration of football was shared among Kwara Central, Kwara South candidates, with even non-indigenes, having their share, not until the Kaiama-born Administrator surprisingly showed interest. He did that against two other candidates from the Central, and another Northerner, Engr Idris Jibril.
Thuraya, even though played football and administered it, his contributions weren’t all that pronounced, except for the fact that, he owns a shop were hausa foods were being sold, and was a strong merchant for the then mobile smartphone, ‘Thuraya’, in the state, through which he was well known by the top citizens in the state, including his first major customer, late Governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal.
From the sales and distribution of Thuraya phones, he was himself, nicknamed Thuraya, and the new nickname swallowed his old nickname which was known of him from Kaduna, Badess.
Thuraya was born in Kaduna state, where he lived the larger part of his live so far. He was so popular in Kaduna to the extent he contested and won a Councillorship seat under the famous zero party elections.
He was also involved in the development of the round leather game in Kaduna and some other northern states, and helping in transferring players within and outside Nigeria.
He has continued to impacted positively on the game. As a Scout, he was instrumental to the bringing of Coach John Obuh’s U-20 national team to Kwara state, for qualifying series, as well as bringing the representative of Real Madrid of Spain to Kwara Football Academy (KFA), through Ambassador Yusuf Mamman.
He was also part of the arrangement that saw to the coming of Jose Mourinho to the KFA, a move which opened ways for some players to move to Europe, and many more.
He later teamed up with Abubakar Bukola Saraki Ilorin Football Club, from when the team was known as Bukola Babes, as National Coordinator. In ABS FC, he was almost an all-in-all, as he was a driver, Welfare Officer, Councellor, Mr Fix-it and bridge builder. He was also a disciplinarian.
It was from there, he showed interest in contesting the Kwara FA Chairmanship seat.
Because of his business affiliation at some point, changing the naratives requires both radical and persuasive approaches. He employed these two variables to stay on top of the game, which invariably is his game. He surprisingly won the election, against all odds, and equally won a second term in office.
Back then in 2019, when he picked the intent form to contest the Kwara State Football Association hot seat, he was outrightly doubted. He was practically underrated. He was termed a joker, and a ‘kunu seller’ who only knows how to sell food.
This was somebody that played the game. He was an Administrator, and a former Councilor in Kaduna state, the state where he reigns as a Gang Leader, and as a result, earned the nickname, ‘Badess’
Engr. Idris Jibril was initially believed to be in the poll position to champion the Northern agenda. But the Kaiama-born sports administrator surprised all with his entry into the race, especially going by the huge support he was able to garner. His ambition threw confusion into whatever calculation there was then.
His intentions to contest in the FA elections in 2019 coincided with many perceived impossibilities. First, he contested against big weights. Secondly, he came from the region that has not produced a Chairman in an association that was inaugurated since 70s. Above all, he seems not have enough performance collateral in the history of football in the state to table before any stakeholder to warrant their votes.
But, the bid to swerve power was embraced by some section of stakeholders, and that raised some level of hope for Thuraya. That may also have been narrowed following the emergence of another contestant from the Northern region, Engr Idris Jibril, but the fact that he surprisingly had the support of the former Chairman, late Mallam Busari Ishola made the difference.
Late Mallam Busari Ishola, the man who was referred to as Mr. Football said in an interview he granted immediately after the election that produced Thuraya that; “I was for equity. I resolved within myself that the position of the FA Chairman should go to the North, at least, for equity, so that we can all have a sense of belonging. And that was my project. I am happy that at the end of the day, we were successful on the project. I was happy to achieve that.
And on Thursday June 13th, 2019, history was made as Thuraya surprised many to emerge as Chairman of Kwara State Football Association, the first person from Kwara North to do so, and arguably the very first to be democratically elected into that position. For the first time in the history of the FA, four candidates contested for the Chairmanship position.
The elections held on Tuesday June 13th, as Thuraya contested against Alhaji Toyin Olokoba (who got six votes), Alhaji Abdulrazaq Wopa Agbaji (three votes) and Engr. Idris Jibril Etsu (three votes) after the elections.
23 delegates, representing the 16 Local Football Councils and other components of football development in the state voted, and Thuraya got 11 votes to emerge the winner.
While highlighting his manifesto at a forum ahead of the election, titled: “My mission is to serve, my vision is to develop”, Thuraya had said that his mission and vision are fueled both my service and development. Service was the watchword.
According to him, “many people are surprised by his ambition, and were ignorant of my achievements in sports, football in particular, which began in far away Kaduna state.
‘Capacity is capability. It’s not by age or size, wealth, or where you come from, but having the interest and zeal to add value to the system. I am capable, I have the capability and wherewithal, and I will certainly deliver if elected’, he had said.
Then, the Kaiama-born football administrator believed he has impacted positively on the game more than even those with platforms.
The elections on June 13th, 2019 will go down in history of football administration in the state as the most interesting, considering the controversial build-up, the compatible and incompatible team-ups, the intrigues, and especially, the betrayal that goes with it. The eventual outcome revealed many secrets
The desperation to be on the hot seat might not be unconnected with the high rising stakes of the body then. The Board pursued and achieved a firm grassroots agenda, which culminated in the constitution of Local Football Councils in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
Also, the award and construction of Football House in Kwara state by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), asides regular organization of grassroots football competitions, are part of the legacies of late Mallam Busari Ishola.
Kwara Football Association was officially inaugurated in 1973, with Alhaji U. S. Mustapha as the pioneer Chairman. He served between 1973 and 1975. Between 1973 and 2019, over 18 persons, either appointed or elected, had served in that capacity.
There were also some non-indigenes who had served as Chairmen at one time or the other, including the then Captain Sa’ad Abubakar, who is presently the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
Since 2019, Thuraya has continued to show great capacity and capability, which has given the FA a high level of recognition, respect and focus.
He is today, one of the key elements in social development and football, where kwara State has a very proud history and notable personalities.
He has continued to enforce football development culture, which ensures that all grassroots competitions are organised by observing the laid down protocols. Therefore, no grassroots competition must be held without the usage of certified coaches, badged referees, provision of security, ambulance and other protocols, as outlined in the Rules and Regulations of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as derived from CAF and FIFA Statutes.
He equally tasked stakeholders on organisation of competitions with well defined objectives, aimed at enhancing total discovery and genuine development of the game.
All of these put together was enough consolation for him to have easy passage to his second term in office, as he defeated Engineer Olaide Ahmed overwhelmingly, with 19 to four votes on Tuesday 13th June, 2023, in Kaiama.
He has continued to build bridges across all spheres of developmental processes. Today, as his reign wears on, the doubts are almost fading away: he is no longer being underrated, and the criticisms are limited to just developmental.
Thuraya, a Prince from Kaiama has undoubtedly stamped his feet in football administration and history will continue to bear witness. He is not only a good Ambassador of Kwara North, but that of the state and North Central.
