TheCable

Bala Bawa Ka’oje, a former minister of sports, has passed away at the age of 60.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) broke the sad news in a statement to TheCable on Tuesday.

The statement, however, did not disclose the cause of the death of Ka’oje, who was a former national treasurer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Nigeria’s sporting fraternity was thrown into grief once again as the death was announced on Tuesday morning of the former Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bala Bawa Ka’oje. He was 60 years of age,” the statement read.

“The Nigeria Football Federation expressed its shock and sadness at the passing of the former Minister, with the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi 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 remains of Ka’oje, who was also a former president, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, has since been interred in Abuja according to Islamic rites.

The NFF was represented at the internment by Mohammed Sanusi, general secretary; and Ali Abubakar Muhammed, head of member associations.

Tributes have begun to pour in for the deceased as words of his demise spread.

Sad to hear that my friend & brother,the former Minister of Sports,Hon. Bala Bawa Ka’oje has passed on. Bala was my colleague in OBJ's cabinet & he was an absolute gentleman. Nigeria has lost a great & patriotic son. I shall miss him. My prayers are with his family. RIP brother.

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) January 19, 2021

I received with sadness the news of the death of Nigeria’s former Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bala Bawa Ka’oje. It is a big loss to the sporting community. He will be remembered for his contributions to Sports devpt. My prayers are with the family

— Sunday Dare (@SundayDareSD) January 19, 2021

May the gentle soul of Hon. Bala Bawa Ka'oje rest in perfect peace.

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— Aly Bunxa (@BunzaAly) January 19, 2021

The National Council of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) regrets to announce the death of Bldr. (Hon.) Bala Bawa Ka'oje, FNIOB, PPNIOB, Past President of the Institute, Past President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Former member House of

— Nigerian Institute Of Building Lagos Chapter (@InstituteLagos) January 19, 2021

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