Ekene Abubakar Adams was a distinguished sports administrator and politician in Nigeria. Born on February 4, 1985, he represented the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives.
Adams gained recognition as Nigeria’s youngest football club owner when he established Kada City FC in 2018 to promote football development in Kaduna. Kada City quickly made headlines by winning the Nigeria National League promotion playoff in 2018 and debuting in the Nigeria Premier League in 2019.
Despite his success, Adams faced significant challenges in managing Kada City FC due to financial constraints. In 2019, he controversially sold the club’s Premier League slot to the Delta State Government, citing his inability to secure the necessary funds to sustain the club in the top flight.
This decision led to internal conflicts within the club’s management, eventually prompting Adams to resign as the Chief Executive Officer of Kada City. He later joined Remo Stars as the General Manager, a position he took up again in 2021 after a brief hiatus due to health issues.
Adams’ political career was equally notable. He was a member of various political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Labour Party (LP), through which he earned a seat in the 10th National Assembly.
His dedication to sports and his constituency was evident in his work as the House Committee on Sports Chairman. He was known for his commitment to developing grassroots football and supporting young talents in his home state of Kaduna.
Tragically, Ekene Abubakar Adams passed away in a car accident on the Zaria-Kaduna expressway, a route notorious for its dangerous conditions. The accident claimed his life, leading to widespread mourning among his colleagues and the general public.
His death was a significant loss to his constituency, the sports community, and the entire nation, as he was a passionate advocate for sports development and a dedicated public servant.
