NFF mourns passing of former Kano Pillars chairman

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed profound shock and grief over the death of retired technocrat and former Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola, who passed away early Friday morning after a period of illness.

Alhaji Yola was a highly experienced civil servant who served in various capacities, including as Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports (Zone 6), Special Assistant to the Director General of the National Sports Commission (Chief Patrick Ekeji), and a member of the Presidential Task Force on Nigeria’s qualification for, and participation in, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He was also, at one time, the Chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club—one of Nigeria’s most prominent and passionately supported football clubs—and held the traditional title of Ciroman Kano.

President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “I have known Alhaji Abba Yola for many years, and I can attest to the fact that he was a kind, humble, and knowledgeable man. He showed immense respect to everyone he met, regardless of age or status. His death comes as a shock, but we take solace in the incontrovertible fact that he was a good and great man who left a worthy legacy of excellent service.”