OPINION: OF WHAT USE IS AKWA IBOM STADIUM? Till date people are still asking question, Of what use is the Ibom Stadium Complex in Uyo newly commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan assisted by John Mahama of Ghana and Alassane Quattara of Cote dIvoire. Today is exactly one week after the commissioning of that edifice and there are more questions, commentaries and articles emanating from it. While some are of the opinion that the project is not on the list of priorities of Akwa Ibom people, others are still asking question about the total cost of the project. There are other set that do not want to be left out of the discussion, so they embarked on comparison contest. While some went as far as Europe, others source for local one. What a world of pessimist. While majority of Akwa Ibom people and well wishers are commending the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for his ideas to initiate such gigantic project and completed it within a short duration of two years, others are wasting energy debating on the size, facilities and economic importance of the stadium. In as far as I may not fault their position on the economic importance of the newly commissioned Ibom Stadium, I want to also ask them Of what use is the stadium when Super Eagles is playing South Africa in Uyo on November 19? Of what use is the stadium when Super Eagles is playing Brazilian Team in one of their international friendly on March 2015 as approved by FIFA? In case I forget, I learnt that last week all the 380 hotels spread across the entire state were booked in preparation for the inauguration of the Ibom Stadium. Might be you didnt know, each of the room in those hotels were paid for, food were served to guest, car were hired, etc and the money was not paid to Akwa Ibom State government but Akwa Ibom people and visitors doing business in the state and it runs into millions of Naira. To all road side commentators and critics, that is the economic benefit of the stadium. I recalled vividly when Nigeria was given the hosting right of FIFA World Youth Championship, the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar and Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt were also listed as venues for the championship. Have you wonder why Uyo was not also considered as venue for the tournament? The answer is simple, we didnt have a stadium to host such an event. Even the one listed didnt meet up with FIFA standard but today, Ibom Stadium Complex christened Nest of Champions is No.1 in the country and second to Suncity Stadium in South Africa. You cant talk about sport development without facilities. If Nigeria have at least six of such facilities, we will host FIFA World Cup in no distance time and we all know the economic importance of such competition. Just few months ago, the global community gathered in Brazil to watched the FIFA World Cup Competition against the protest engineered by some section of Brazilians that hosting of the tournament was not top on their priorities. Owing to the fact that every visionary leader see beyond the present, the Brazilian government went ahead to host the event which was adjudged as one of the best ever FIFA World Cup Competition in terms of attendance, facilities and officiating. In the case of Akwa Ibom Stadium, I have not heard or read that the people protested the construction of the stadium which otherwise show their approval and acceptance for the project. You can attest to this fact with the number of Akwa Ibom people who trouped in to witnessed the inauguration of the stadium on November 7. That day will remain memorable in the life of Akwa Ibom people who came out to thank God for giving them a leader in the mold of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio. One thing critics cannot take away from the governor is that he is a celebrated leader in the country and his friends, admirers and supporters cut across the entire country. Today, the name Godswill Akpabio is synonymous with infrastructural development and he is a model of transformational leadership in Nigeria. The prayer every well-meaning Nigeria should pray is that God should produce at least one Godswill Akpabio in every state to place the country on the fast lane of development. His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio has brought in transformational leadership to bear in Akwa Ibom State and beyond. This transformational leadership is worth celebrating and maintaining. As fans of Chief Godswilll Akpabio, we have purported to get his transformational traits to permeate the nooks and crannies of our societies through periodic leadership summit just like the one coming up on December 19, 2014 in Uyo where the upcoming leaders will be indoctrinated on the principles of transformational leadership. It is our humble believe that by so doing we will succeed in training our future political leaders as well as provide a paradigm for transformational leadership basking on Chief Godswill Akpabio. Lets celebrate an achiever rather than destroy him. Akpabio is the best. QED
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:49:06 +0000
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