Former Sports Minister, Ka’oje Dies At 60

Former Minister of Sports in Nigeria, Bala Bawa Ka’oje, is dead.

Nigeria Football Federation’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, in a statement titled, ‘Former Sports Minister Ka’oje dies at 60, buried in Abuja’ on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s sporting ministry was saddened following the death of Ka’oje.

Olajire in the statement quoted the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, as describing the deceased as “a dignified and unassuming public servant who showed great passion and interest in the development and improvement of Nigeria sports.”

The former minister was born in Kebbi State on 20th September 1960, he earned a master’s degree in structural engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

His remains were interred in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon. The NFF was represented by the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and Head of Member Associations, Ali Abubakar Muhammed.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Udo Ekpenyong, has reportedly died from COVID-19 complications.

An official of the Akwa Ibom State government who did not want his name mentioned confirmed to Premium Times that Ekpenyong died on Monday in Uyo.