In the past, sports taught discipline, reduced youth restiveness – Former referee, Abba Dada

Story by Maryam Saleh ISA (Student at Yobe State University, Damaturu)

Abba Baba Dada was born in Potiskum local government area of Yobe State. He holds a Diploma in Estate Management from Federal Polytechnic Damaturu and an HND in Estate Management from Kaduna Polytechnic. Driven by his passion for teaching, he later earned a B.A. (Ed) in English from the University of Maiduguri. He taught at Adamu Chiroma Private School, Potiskum, for 15 years and also worked with Globacom as a supervisor overseeing security operations under Malako Guard across Bauchi, Yobe, and parts of Borno State.

Neptune Prime: Can you tell us about your early life and how you first became interested in sports?

Abba: We were brought up in sports. Here in Potiskum, people call me Abba Express or Baba Express. During my days at Kaduna Polytechnic, we had a lecturer called Kabiru Magaji. Whenever football discussions were going on, my voice was always the loudest. He overheard us many times and later began to recognise my voice.

He advised me to join refereeing. When I agreed, he gave me a letter to submit to Madam Hauwa Queen when I returned to Yobe. She was the chairperson of the Referees Council at that time. After returning to Yobe, I did not submit the letter until after two years. Later, Sani Potiskum noticed my enthusiasm and asked me to join refereeing because they had a shortage of manpower. That was how my journey started.

My name later became known in the sports arena in Yobe State. Whenever you mention Abba Express, people recognise me. I am a member of the Nigerian Referees Association. On weekends, we go for Keep Fit running, and at the end of every year, we go to Abuja for running competitions to qualify for national events.

Neptune Prime: What kind of sports were popular during your youth, and which ones did you personally engage in?

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Abba: In those days, football was the most popular sport, followed by Dambe and Kokawa. Those ones required physical strength, so we did not participate in them. We were more involved in Langa because we attended Almajiri school, and Almajirai found it entertaining and competitive.

From the female side, there was Gada, who played a significant role. There were also other sports like Kalangu, but most parents did not allow children to participate, and those who did were sometimes labelled in the community.

Neptune Prime: Can you share some of your most memorable moments or achievements in sports?

Abba: Yes, there are many. Sports are about victory. Anyone who has lived in Potiskum for over forty years knows our team, Rufa’i Bebs. We were very young at the time, and people admired us and came out to watch our matches. Being part of that team is an achievement I am proud of. Most of my achievements in sports came through refereeing.

Neptune Prime: How did sports shape your discipline, character, and outlook on life?

Abba: Sports made us known and respected. From our primary school days, we noticed that people involved in sports were given special consideration in the community.

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Neptune Prime: Were there challenges you faced as an athlete in your younger days, and how did you overcome them?

Abba: Football is addictive. No matter how important something is, once it is time for football, everything else is dismissed. One major challenge was balancing the Almajiri school with football. Our father was focused on Islamic education and did not excuse football. Even our Malam sometimes detained us to prevent us from going to play. Another challenge was balancing football with hawking. Our family was in the potash soap business called Shagari ya kasa. Hawking affected our football time, so sometimes we made local arrangements to sell together and then go to play.

Neptune Prime: How were sports viewed by families and the community during your time compared to today?

Abba: Sports were viewed as contradicting religion, so many parents did not support them. Also, the level of skill and competitiveness then was higher than what we see today. Watching matches at places like the Senior Science Football Field in Potiskum was like watching television.

Food was provided at football entrances, and students were given sportswear based on their houses with different colours.

Neptune Prime: What values from sports do you think young people today are missing or need to learn?

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Abba: In the past, children who regularly went to the football field were rarely involved in drug abuse. Sports taught discipline. If a child was warned that he would be reported to his coach, he corrected himself immediately.

Football can be talent, but it is also learnable. First, identify your skills. If you have talent, develop it. If not, learn it as a skill. When a child shows talent, people should invest in that child to encourage them.

Neptune Prime: How did you manage to combine career and sports, and what advice would you give young people who want to combine education, career, and sports?

Abba: I told myself that time was moving fast. I am approaching 52 years, so getting a sustainable job has become important. That made me decide to stay at Alma’arif College, where I feel valued and understood. My sports activities now come casually and do not affect my work.

For young people, combining education, career, and sports is not easy, but it is possible. They should try to balance both and remain determined.

Neptune Prime: Finally, what message would you leave behind for future generations?

Abba: Future generations should fear God in whatever they do, because they will be held accountable for every action.

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