By Franklyn Isong
Today is Good Friday, a day of commemoration of the Crucifixion of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, in the Christendom.
I have elected to write this article on a unique day like this, to commemorate one legacy achievement that stands out in the 8 years of former Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration in Akwa Ibom State.
This project has touched my heart and it would be wrong and unchristian not to acknowledge it.
In 2012, Akpabio’s administration awarded contract for the construction of the 30,000 capacity Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex (aka Nest of Champions) and Games Village along Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, Uyo to Julius Berger – an international structural engineering firm based in Nigeria, at the cost of $96million.
Julius Berger was responsible for the architectural design, execution planning, as well as constructional supervision of the stadium and maintenance.
Modeled after Allianz Arena; the ultra modern multipurpose sports complex situates on a 48 hectares of land.
The facility has bullet proof VIP/VVIP sections, collapsible seats, two digital score boards, digital playback screens, digital flood lights, eight-lane 400m standard track; warm-up facility with six-lane 400m track; a standby power supply system; Box office, Media facilities; 7,500 seater Grand Stand; Helipad; two dressing rooms; Ambulance bay; and 30 emergency exits to enable exit within 6 minutes.
On the November 7, 2014 (two years after ground breaking), Akpabio invited former President Goodluck Jonathan who laid the foundation to come for its commissioning. Uyo metropolis was agog that eventful Friday as then President Jonathan led the Ghanaian leader, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, and Ivorian Head of State, Dr. Alassane Ouattara, and Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlins (Rtd.), former Ghanaian head of state to commission the infrastructure.
A number of state governors across Nigeria were at the event. While the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, led some Executive Committee members and Management staff to attend the event.
That the facility was approved by the Confederation of African Football for the crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa on November 19, counts as one of the achievements of Akpabio’s administration.
Akpabio had during inspection of the project before the commissioning said; “What I had in mind was to build a world class international stadium that would be a thing of pride to all Nigerians and Africans; a place that will give us respect so that when people who are used to playing in fantastic stadiums in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe come here they will say whaooo! so this can be done in Africa? That was actually the concept. We didn’t just want to build any stadium.
We wanted to build something in tune with my administration’s belief of uncommon transformation. We wanted to build an uncommon stadium that has not been seen before in West Africa.
It is a beautiful place and I pray the spectacular beauty does not distract and affect athletes’ concentration when they come because they may get lost trying to take pictures.
“I donate this to Nigerians and other sporting communities.
This will serve as a major facility for sporting destination and I don’t expect that we will have such facility and we will not have the Akpans and Ekaetes playing for Chelsea and Manchester United in the next five years.
They must take advantage of this facility. I expect that the more than $5billion available in sports tourism globally should begin to be keyed into by the children of Akwa Ibom towards bringing in money because it is a major economic enabler particularly football.”
Today, I applaud Governor Udom Emmanuel; Akpabio’s successor-in-office for renaming the Stadium to “Godswill Akpabio International Stadium”.
This is one achievement that no one can take away from Akpabio. He deserves applause from Akwa Ibomites. The facility apart from sporting activities is playing host to international, national and state events.
Akpabio, I believe will be a happy former governor and feels fulfilled each time the stadium is enlisted for hosting of any event including sports in Nigeria.
This is a legacy project that will always keep Senator Godswill Akpabio in the minds of his people as the “uncommon transformer”. Even his ardent critics like me, won’t deny this.
Within three years of its commissioning, one could say that this stadium has achieved partly its original purpose both for the state and Nigeria, as it is being used to discover and train local, national and international talents in sports through the Nigerian Super Eagles and Akwa United teams. So I encourage good things. Appreciate it. Praise good ideas and celebrate success. This is one!
My Easter Message for the former Governor and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio and all those who worked tirelessly in his administration to bring this magnificent project from dreamland to a reality, is that God grants you long life and good health.
Happy Easter!
No comments: