LEPOWURA ALHAJI M.N.D JAWULA: GHANA'S ASTUTE FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATOR
The late Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula was born on May 2, 1949.
He attended Tamale Senior High School birthed in 1951 which boasts of notable alumni such as Dr. Hilla Limann, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Edward Nasigre Mahama, Dr. Abdulai Baba Salifu, Roland Issifu Alhassan, Professor Joshua Alabi, Professor John Sebiyam Nabila, Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Huudu Yahaya Iddrisu, Michael Kojo Mensah Bonsu, Bawa Andani Yakubu, Peter Tenganabang Nanfuri, Lieutenant -General Joshua Hamidu, Air Marshal Michael Samson-Oje, Rear Admiral Issa Adam Yakubu, Mohammed Mumuni, John Akologo Tia and Abdullah Ali Nakyea.
As Head Prefect, his visionary and transformational leadership won the administration of all and sundry.
Disciplined and well-behaved, he also excelled academically in addition to acquiring both his Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates.
Enrolling at the University of Cape Coast, he majored in English and Economics.
The quest for further acquisition of inexhaustible knowledge saw him bag a Master's in African Literature and Social Policy at the University of Ghana.
Desirous of contributing his quota to the country's development, he delved into the enthralling world of politics serving as District Chief Executive of Walewale and Gambaga.
A stint in the Civil Service which spanned for thirty-two years followed.
By dint of hard work, he was elevated to the position of Chief Director at the Ministry of Health.
Having also worked at the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Roads and Highways, he later ventured into football administration.
With Premier League side Real Tamale United birthed on September 26, 1976, he served as Chairman and Board Member.
He chaired the Management Committee of the Black Starlets who defeated Brazil in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Final on August 20 1995.
The seasoned politician served as Vice President of the Ghana Football Association and later succeeded Samuel Nana Brew-Butler as President.
A position he occupied from 1997 through to 2001 which saw some tremendous strides made.
Under his watch, the Black Satellites triumphed in the CAF Under-20 Nations Cup on home soil, the Black Queens debuted at the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Black Starlets emerged victorious in the CAF Under-17 Nations Cup, Ghana jointly hosted the Nations Cup with Nigeria and Hearts of Oak won the CAF Champions League.
A member of the CAF Inter-club Committee, he served as Vice Chairman of the CAN 2008 Local Organizing Committee, chaired the MTN FA Cup Committee and the Premier League Committee until his untimely demise on January 21, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Credit: Reuben Addo