• Saturday, April 20, 2024
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Buratai bids Kida farewell as president of NBBF bows out of service

Ahmadu Musa Kida-NBBF

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Y Buratai has joined notable members of the global community in eulogizing the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida as he bows out of active service at Total E&P Nigeria.

In his goodwill message, Lt. Gen. Buratai described Kida as a kind gentleman, hardworking, very industrious and a philanthropist per excellence which has not only seen him impact his immediate community but also the global community.

Tracing their journey, Buratai revealed that, “Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida is a brother and a close friend. We both hail from Biu Emirate of Borno State. My father and his father were very close also.”

Buratai while reminiscing on how their friendship started said, “I have known Ahmadu Musa Kida since 1985 when I was a young officer serving in 26 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Elele near Port Harcourt.”

Though having lost contact in 1986, they reconnected in 2011 when Buratai was appointed the Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt.

While extolling his virtues, Kida was described as a keen sportsman, a professional basketball player and administrator as well as a sincere friend of the Nigerian Army through his numerous and generous interventions.

“While I was in Port Harcourt as a 2 Brigade commander, he generously intervened through the renovation of some of our troops residential accommodations. He equally funded the renovation of the headquarters, 2 Brigade quarter guard.

Buratai added that, “He is indeed a close friend of the Nigerian Army. He is among the few and the first to intervene in the infrastructural development of the newly established Nigerian Army University, Biu. He funded the building of the maternity and child care hospital at the university. This has since been completed and handed over.”

The son of the former Chief Judge – Grand Khadi of Borno state was also described as jovial, friendly and always willing to assist the less privileged.

“As he moves on to a new life as a retiree who served his country meritoriously at the global oil and gas community, I wish Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida a very happy retirement life, Congratulations”, Lt. Gen. Buratai concluded.

Kida started his career as a professional at ELF Petroleum Nigeria as a trainee engineer and materials coordinator before joining Total Exploration & Production Nigeria in 1985.

In August 2015, Kida was appointed the Deputy Managing Director of the Deepwater District in Lagos, a position he held till he retired.