Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state has said that the multi-purpose international stadium he built in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state is being handed over to Africa as a gift.
Speaking today at the inauguration of the stadium, the governor said that he has presented the stadium to Africa.
“And I believe that from here, Africa will produce a lot of champions. Never again should we go for Olympics and come back without gold medal, never again. That is why I’ve presented this to Africa”.
He said that the maintenance plan for the stadium is being handled by Julius Berger with which he said, the state government has signed a 10-year contract.
He described Julius Berger, which has been in Nigeria for over 35 years as having cut a niche for itself in the construction industry.
“Like I told the Former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, for me I’m very humbled to have had the opportunity to present this to Africa.”
The Governor said that he decided to the secret to do many projects in Akwa Ibom State because he wanted to show that government can work.
“I had made up my mind, with a lot of anger when I came in that I must show that government can work and indeed seeing this kind of edifice, I can tell you that the anger is waning. That, yes indeed, government can work.
“I wanted to prove something to future generations and I hope that Nigerians after me, aspiring for leadership, will feel the need to learn the little I have experienced here”.
The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, expressed excitement over the Stadium even as assured that the Federation will host world class matches in it.
Pannick who was among the delegation watching the last minute rehearsals for the official commissioning of the Stadium by President Goodluck Jonathan and three other African Presidents, said he was a fulfilled man seeing such edifice in Nigeria.
He said the stadium will henceforth be the home to Super Eagles and Super Falcons, saying that the NFF is going to take full advantage of the well crafted edifice for world class matches.
“I feel very fulfilled and like I said, this is the home of the NFF, this is the home of the Super Eagles, this is the home of the Super Falcons. And we are very proud to have been associated with the government of Akwa-Ibom State.
“It is a edifice that is so well crafted and I can assure you that you will be seeing first class marches. We are going to take good advantage of this edifice in making sure that we bring in first class marches, A-rated marches to this stadium”.
The former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, expressed confidence that many champions would emerge from the edifice and advised that the maintenance culture should not be taken for granted.
“It (stadium) is unique and it is not just a gift to this state, a gift to Nigeria but to Africa and there is no doubt in my mind you’re going to develop a lot of champions out of this place.
“I just hope that those who are going to be given the responsibility to take care of this place, will maintain a high maintenance culture to ensure that it is perfectly secured.” [myad]
