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Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo would be the
perfect setting for the opening of a new chapter in the history of
sports in Nigeria. Come tomorrow Nov.
7, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godwin Akpabio, will lead the
government and people of Akwa Ibom state in opening the Akwa Ibom International
Stadium aptly dubbed “Nest of Champions” (Photo source: lindaikejiblog)
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As President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurates
the Akwa Ibom International Stadium on Friday, November 7, 2014, many note that
Obong Godswill Akpabio is leaving Akwa Ibom State better than he met it in 2007 and
has made his name unforgettable in the annals of history as far as uncommon
transformation of the state is concerned.
The Akwa Ibom International Stadium
has a seating capacity of 30,000, costs N16 billion and will provide jobs to
5,000 people, apart from giving the state a hosting right to international
sporting events.
This stadium complex sits upon a
massive 32 hectares of land. The main bowl consists of a four-tier terrace
seating arrangement, all covered. There are two parking lots; VIP and bus
parking areas with VIP access and public access; coffee-shops, shops,
restaurants and a banquet-hall.
It has an eight-lane 400 metres
standard track including complete athletics facilities in the segment of the
field. Coming in three levels, the grand stand area will accommodate the Very
Very Important Person (VVIP) and Very Important Person (VIP) lounges.
The new Akwa Ibom State International Stadium has 36 exits and the main bowl is capable of draining out
flood water 20 minutes after a heavy downpour. The main turf is made up of
natural grass to conform with international standards, since artificial pitch
is not desirable or acceptable.
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The sporting edifice is an Olympic
Sized stadium is a 30,000 capacity considered as the best in the West African region and comparable with
South Africa’s Soccer City according to a high-ranking CAF official. (Photo source: lindaikejiblog)
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Other facilities within the Grand
Stand Area, especially Level I are team changing rooms, collective changes
rooms, offices, meeting room for team meetings, administrative and technical
services, as well as covered parking spaces.
Essentially, the level also
accommodates a naturally ventilated entrance lobby for VVIP guest while Level
II within the grand area accommodates the VVIP reception area viewing lounges,
catering service and conveniences.
Level III is dedicated for public
spectators of grand stand west and their respective service facilities.
In the levels, there are also
provisions for entrances to the East Stand and curves. The concourses include
toilets, first aid stations and stairs to the upper levels. There are kiosks
for spectators’ food and beverage facilities, facilities for the spectators for
the upper tier seating including toilets and kiosks as well as a service
concourse to the upper tier seating.
The stadium enclosed by a white
triangular shaped out skin that wraps around the entire stands area made of
acrylic glass. The façade of the Grand Stand, which is also of acrylic glass,
are of vertical panels.
During matches or event nights, the
façade of the Grand Stand will be illuminated in various colours.
Governor Akpabio said the stadium
will be commission on November 7, 2014. The Olympic sized stadium presents to
sport lovers a place to relish live international tournaments. Henceforth,
anytime any tournament will be hosted by Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State will not be
deprived the benefits and money that such events will bring to Nigeria.
CAF delegated Mr Fred Creteil, the
vice-president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), came to inspect the
facility and he left impressed.
“You guys have a wonderful facility
here. It is one of the best I have seen anywhere around Africa and elsewhere.
It is of the same standard and mould as Soccer City [in Johannesburg] with a
lower capacity,” Creteil said in Uyo when he came visiting.
“I am particularly amazed that there
are provisions for the physically –challenged persons. Everything is taken care
of here. I am hugely impressed.”
Apart from the economic boom through
sporting activities, the stadia will also provide arena for human empowerment
through sport development, as youngsters will be discovered in different
sectors of sport and become professionals, earning a living from their talents.
Apart from the creation of over
5,000 jobs for daily staffers, the stadium will provide 200,000 jobs during
major tournaments. The stadium is constructed with a left over space for
periodic expansion.
The foundation of the site can be
expanded to 60,000 sitting capacity; every other department of the stadium can
be expanded to double their capacity. Governor Akpabio’s tag team designed this
stadium with deep insight and vision, leaving room for expansion as it is the
international best practice.
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NIGHT VIEW - The stadium will be opened with a International friendly
match between archrivals, Super Eagles of Nigeria and Black Stars of Ghana
on Friday, November 7 at 3pm,
with notable dignitaries from all over in attendance. (Photo source: lindaikejiblog)
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In all, a project as massive as the
Akwa Ibom Olympic Stadium is difficult to measure its economic benefits
especially if one views it in terms of very simple equations responding to
specific challenges. A vivid illustration is like viewing a new road that
connects an industrial area to a new port. It would be hard to justify the
efficacy of the project measured simply by time saved in traffic. But take a
wider view of increased productivity, exports and jobs, and it becomes clear
that such a road actually provides exceptional value.
Governor Akpabio has set agenda of
economic prioritization. He knows that building infrastructure will strengthen
and increase the economy of the state likewise provide jobs and yield more
revenues to the state through direct and indirect taxation.
The Akwa Ibom International Stadium is one of
such infrastructure, which will bring about the economic rejuvenations of the
economy in the state and empower the people through direct and talent
creations.
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