ABUJA/Nigeria: The Board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has taken the unprecedented step of indefinitely suspending its Vice President, Azania Omo-Agege.
This action was confirmed in an official letter signed by the Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Akinyele Oladapo, shedding light on allegations of Omo-Agege impersonating the President of the NBF. The seriousness of the accusations was underscored by the confirmation of various African Boxing Federation Presidents.
The suspension, as detailed in the statement, was a result of a board meeting held on November 11, 2023. Omo-Agege faced scrutiny regarding an unauthorized press release/letter sent to the International Boxing Association (IBA), which brought embarrassment not only to the Nigeria Boxing Federation but also to the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the Federal Ministry of Sports, and the entire nation.
According to the statement, it was revealed that Omo-Agege had allegedly forged and printed the letterhead of the NBF without proper approval. The document further highlighted specific grievances, stating, “At no time has Azania Omo-Agege briefed or written any report on the outcome of meetings at AFBC and IBA for the action of the President.”
The statement continued to outline additional concerns, emphasizing Omo-Agege’s failure to utilize the opportunity provided by the board to reconcile with the President during a recent Zoom meeting. It accused him of constituting himself as a one-man parallel body, opposing the majority of the board members who had affirmed the decision to join the World Boxing body, deeming it a positive step for the growth of boxing.
The suspension also addressed Omo-Agege’s claim to the IBA that the President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, had ceased to be President according to the constitution, deeming it “null and void as well as embarrassing.”
The statement concluded by issuing a series of demands on Omo-Agege, requiring him to withdraw the letter written to the IBA on Nigeria, drop the lawsuit against the World body, issue a press release denouncing the earlier release, and extend a written apology to both the President and the board within a stipulated 21-day period.
The suspension marks a critical juncture in the internal affairs of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, raising questions about the integrity and cohesion of its leadership.
