Rwanda shows President Tinubu the way, names former Basketball star Minister of Sports

In what tantamount to putting square pegs in square holes, Rwanda President, Paul Kagame has named former basketball player, Richard Nyirishema Minister of Sports following a cabinet reshuffle early this month.

Nyirishema served as Vice-President of Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) and has now replaced Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju in his new position.

‘The sports ministry will continue to work closely with the federations. The first thing is to work with the partners, to know what they want and how we can work together with them to achieve success. The goal is development of sports,’ he is quoted as saying in a report on FIBA website.

Prior to his new government role, Nyirishema served as the Vice President at the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) since 2016.

In addition to his FERWABA duties, Nyirishema served as a member of the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Board.

Nyirishema holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology from the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), a Diploma in Water Resources and Environment Management from Muroran Institute of Technology in Japan, and a Program Diploma in Project Management from the International Business Management Institute in Germany.

The message President Kagame has sent down to Nigeria President, Bola Tinubu is to put competence above political patronage in his planned cabinet reshuffles.