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Tag: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium

  • ‘APC’ll win Akwa-Ibom in 2019’

    Mr Ini Okopido, the Akwa Ibom Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has assured that the state would be the first opposition state to be captured by the APC in the 2019 elections.

    Okopido gave the assurance in his welcome address on Friday at the flag-off of the APC South-South Presidential Campaign held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    He said with the support the party was receiving from Akwa Ibom the party would win the state come 2019.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the party’s flag-bearer for the Presidential poll, who also addressed participants at the campaign flag-off, for the appointments he gave to the sons and daughters of the state in his Government.

    “We want to assure you that Akwa Ibom loves you. Akwa Ibom people appreciate you for all the appointments you have given our sons and daughters.

    “We assure you that Akwa Ibom people will vote for you and vote to deliver all APC candidates in 2019.

    “Akwa Ibom will be the first state to be captured by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections,” Okopido said.

    According to him, this shows the confidence President Buhari has in the state and its people.

    The Presidential campaign launch was a carnival of such, that the Godswill Akpabio international stadium was filled to the brim.

    The party’s four candidates that will fly its governorship flag in four South-South states in 2019 were unveiled at the occasion by Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of APC.

    Mr Nsima Ekere, Akwa Ibom; Sen. John Enoh, Cross River, Mr Great Ogboru, Delta; and Tonye Cole, Rivers; received the party’s flag at the occasion.

    NAN

  • A’Ibom finally approves Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium for Buhari’s rally

    The Akwa Ibom state government has finally bowed to pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the use of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for the flag-off of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign in Uyo.

    In a statement on Monday night by the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Mr Monday Ebong Uko, the government gave conditional approval for the stadium to be used for the presidential campaign rally.

    The approval came barely few hours after the Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters(Senate), Senator Ita Enang, threatened the APC would force its way into the 30,000 capacity stadium if the state government refused to accede to its request for the use of the facility.

    The statement explained:  “Following a decision by Julius Berger Plc to recall their staff from their scheduled holiday, the Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the use of the Nest of Champions Stadium, Uyo for the flag off of the President’s electioneering campaign on December 28, 2018.

    “However, all other terms of use will remain effective.

    Read also: Why Buhari can’t use stadium for campaign, by Akwa Ibom Govt

    Organisers of the rally are expected to meet with the stadium management to finalise this approval”.

    Reacting to the approval, spokesperson of APC campaign council in the state, Eseme Eyiboh, said he was not aware of the development.

    Eyiboh said Governor Udom Emmanuel was merely responding a letter sent by the party to him insisting on the use of the stadium.

     

  • Navy organises championship to boost officers’ morale

    It is often said that ‘all work without play makes Jack a dull boy’. In line with this time-tested truism, the Eastern Naval Command recently organised an intra-sports tournament to boost the morale of its officers for higher productivity.

    The launch of the maiden sports championship which took place at  the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday was attended by participants from all units of the ENC.

    In his opening remarks, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command represented by Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji, welcomed the participants and units to ENC 2018 Championship.

    Adaji said the exercise is in line with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, which according to him, is to develop Naval Force that is well trained, organised and highly motivated  to enable them to discharge their constitutional role of defending the nation.

    “This is in furtherance of the vision of Chief of Naval Staff which is to develop Naval Force that is well trained, organised and highly motivated to discharge its constitutional role, professionally and efficiently, for the defence of Nigeria and ensuring her economic prosperity “, he said.

    He also said the championship was organised to foster co-operation and information sharing among sister security agencies.

    “The Championship will afford us the opportunity to compete with sister security agencies in order to foster the spirit of co-operation and information sharing as no agency alone will be able to confront the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria,” he added.

    He thanked the state government for keeping the cordial relationship with the Navy strong, assuring that Navy will continue to cherish the relationship.

    “The hosting of the Eastern Naval Command Intra-sports Championship at the Uyo modern stadium is a testimony to the good relationship that exists between the Navy and Akwa Ibom State government, Navy will continue to cherish this relationship,” he said.

    In his address, the Command Sports’ Officer, Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Otakagu, listed the benefits of physical exercises to the military which is to keep the military healthy for military operations, adding that the sporting event will help strengthen the existing relationship between Nigeria Navy and the sister services.

    “Physical exercise keeps the military healthy for military operations.

    “Through carefully planned and implemented physical training exercises, the military is able to maintain a high level of combat readiness with healthy capable personnel. It is widely acknowledged that participating in physical activity produces range of good health, high performance, combat readiness, physical, mental, social and economic benefits for individuals and the community.

    “It would foster good sportsmanship within the command as well as further consolidate the existing synergy and cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the sister services “, he said.

    Also speaking, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey commended the military generally for recognising the importance of sports in individual’s well-being as well as nation-building.

    “I am aware the military generally recognise the role of sports in individual’s well-being and nation-building. Hence, personnel are not only encouraged to engage in sports but to see it as an avenue that fosters healthy competition among personnel and units”, he said.

    Mr Bassey said Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has made good successes in ensuring peace across the state and its waterways notwithstanding some challenges facing it.

    “The Eastern Naval Command has made successes notwithstanding the myriad of challenges facing it. The command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Akwa Ibom State has been actively involved in the operation across the state to ensure peace and security. The command has been a forerunner in the fight against illicit goods, especially contraband rice into the country through our waterways “, he added.

    He assured the command that Akwa Ibom State government will continue to support them in ensuring peace, adding that the state will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy in the promotion of sports.

    “Akwa Ibom State will continue to support security agencies to ensure environment conducive to legitimate businesses to thrive.

    “The state have invested a lot in sports and will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy in the promotion of sports, , he added.

    The event featured thug of war (Port Harcourt versus the Fleet) and oath-taking by the participants

  • Nigeria will win FIFA World Cup one day – Pinnick

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed the hope that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will one day win the FIFA World Cup

    Pinnick expressed the hope on Friday in Uyo after playing in the maiden novelty match between SWAN Selected team and Akwa Ibom Sports Arena team.

    The NFF president said he decided to honour the  invitation to play in the match having in mind that if he failed to do so it could be taken as if he got hamstring injury or simply refused to participate.

    Pinnick, who played in the colours of SWAN Selected side throughout the second half of the match, described sports journalists as  critical elements in Nigerian football reportage.

    “We believe in working together. It has been an amazing support from sports journalists. One day we will win the World Cup.

    Also, Paul Bassey, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on sports, congratulated SWAN Selected on their victory over the Akwa Ibom team.

    “Football knows no home turf. If you are a good team and on a good pitch, you can win anywhere.

    “What you do today is exemplary, I wish we had started it earlier than now

    Read Also: Pinnick re-elected as NFF President

    “I promise that whenever we have a home game and we are on a  training pitch and there is flood light, we will always do it again and again.’’

    He said that sports writing remains his “ medium’’ which he could return to at the end of his assignment

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played under flood light Friday night at the Training Pitch, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, SWAN Selected defeated their host s3-1.

    Sports journalists led 2-0 in the first half of the novelty match before the homers which had Nse Essien, a state legislator representing Onna State Constituency, reduced the tally.

    The SWAN Selected added the third goal to lift the maiden trophy.

    The match was organised ahead of Saturday’s  Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (Match Day 3) between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

    NAN

  • Akpabio is not God, he can’t stop me – Udom

    Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state has said that his predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio is not God so cannot stop his second term aspiration.

    Emmanuel, who said this on Friday during his declaration for second term at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo dismissed Akpabio’s declaration of war on the state as unrealistic.

    He said the senator’s analogy of using Hitler-styled invasion of Poland during the World war to depict how the All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to capture Akwa Ibom State would be grossly resisted by the people.

    “No man is God”, he stressed, adding, “I submit myself for consideration to continue with the good works that I have done and I seek your support for my candidature as governor for second term”.

    He assured that the migration of his former boss, Senator Akpabio, into the ruling APC, at the centre, would not stop his re-election, saying he would work with the people to continue with his superior performance during his second term.

    “No man is God”, he stressed, adding: “I submit myself for consideration to continue with the good works that I have done and I seek your support for my candidature as governor for second term”.

    The governor said he was banking on his superior performance to return to the Government House, Uyo, in 2019, adding that he has worked hard and honestly to deliver on his 2015 campaign promises.

    He mentioned industrialization as the major plank of his achievements in the last three years, pointing out that the conglomeration of industrial clusters including toothpick, pencil, syringe, electric metres, coconut factory, peacock paint, fertilizer firms and several kilometres of roads, would recommend him for re-election.

    The Akpabio administration, he noted, had left behind some uncompleted projects including the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel at Ikot Ekpene and the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene road, saying his administration has been working hard to ensure the completion of those legacy projects of the immediate past era.

    Read Also: Buhari yet to receive 2018 Budget – Udoma

    “Who said they had completed the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel?”, he asked, adding that “it is only today that we are negotiating with Starwood Group for the retainership of the name, which some surreptitiously put up on a building, is building a hotel?”.

    He, therefore, enjoined the people to rally round him in his quest to sustain the tempo of good governance he enunciated in his first term in 2015.

    In the same vein, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke; the former Military Governor of the State, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, who chairs the governor’s re-election committee and the State PDP chair, Obong Paul Ekpo, charged supporters and stakeholders of the PDP to work towards ensuring the PDP retain Akwa Ibom with Udom Emmanuel, in 2019.

    Solidarity messages from neighbouring governors of River State, Nysom Wike and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, assured governor Emmanuel that he would be returned based on track-record of quality works in the last three years and enjoined the people not to allow external influence to alter the already political arrangement ably directed by the PDP since 1999 in Akwa Ibom.

  • Passionate governor with sport-full medals

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is one of the few passionate Governors who have shown tangible commitment to youth development through sports. On assumption of office over two years ago, many thought the coming of this financial guru will mark a death kneal to the magnificent Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and also kill the vision of sports activities in the State because of his background. Today, the Governor has fulfilled part of his inaugural promises, which was, “To leverage and build on the Uncommon Transformation of the Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio’s administration.”

    Governor Emmanuel’s passion for sports development is second to no other State Governor in the country. As soon as Mr. Emmanuel dotted his leadership seat at the Hilltop Mansion, his first port of call was the State football team where he diagnosed, analyzed, and proffered a therapy for the sickening state team. Today, serial victories recorded by Akwa United Football Club are testimonials to the Governor’s magic in the sports subsector.

    Within the Governor’s two years in office, Akwa United FC have become two times winner of AITEO cup, and fully participating in the on going continental competition. Through Governor Emmanuel’s support, Team Akwa Ibom finished 2nd on the medals table at the 2017 National Sports FESTIVAL; and Ibom Angels emerged first runner-up in the 2017 Nigeria Female FA Cup. That was the first time a female team from the state qualified for the finals of a major national competition.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel is currently undertaking construction of ten sports centres in the ten federal constituencies of the state. One of the centres as currently implemented would be an international stadium. The first of the ten stadia at West Itam Secondary School, Itu LGA was commissioned in May 2016 during the Governor’s first year in office. The second centre at Ikot Mbong, Onna LGA has reached advanced level of completion. Eight others are at different levels of construction.

    Worthy of note is that under Governor Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom State hosted all home qualifier matches played by the Super Eagles in the build up to Russia 2018 World Cup. The support the people and government of Akwa Ibom gave the national team during those matches were significant motivators to the successes recorded by  National team.

    Last year, the Governor said “Akwa Ibom won’t wait for anyone; we want to make sure that this state produces future champions and I only want people to give us 7 years, we will be ready.

    “Come to think of it, if champions are not hatched in the Nest of Champions- The Godswill Obot Akpabio Stadium where else can they possibly be hatched? This administration sees sports development as a valuable gift to our children and youth. We know that when we expose them to the best sporting facilities at an early age, we have given them wings to soar and the sky can only be the limit. Such thinking gave vent to the establishment of sporting centres in each of the ten Federal constituencies of the State by my administration”.

    Another exciting programme in Governor Udom Emmanuel’s sports rebirth is the State Youth Sports Festival (AKSYSF). The programme which started in 2017 afforded pupils and students from the 31 Local Government Areas opportunities to participate in sporting activities of their choosing. The 2018 edition of AKSYSF which ended on Saturday, 10 March 2018, attracted 15,000 athletes, all from primary and secondary schools in the State. Twenty-three (23) sports, athletics, badminton, baseball/softball, basketball, boxing, chess, cricket, cycling, football, handball, judo, karate, kung-fu and traditional boxing (Mbok), scrabble, squash rackets, special sports, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling, were up for competition. Paralympics was a special feature during the festival.

    In his remarks at the opening of the second edition of the festival, Governor Emmanuel said his administration “will not rest until [it] gives the world another Serena Williams. Let us not rest until stars in the mould of Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Lebron James and Usain Bolt are discovered here in Akwa Ibom. That is not impossible. They are all here, and it is our challenge to fish them out. If we do our part as we are doing, I have the faith and belief that going forward; no Nigerian National team will be complete without an Akwa Ibom child.”

    That emboldening statement re-echoed the commitment of the Governor to take the attention of Akwa Ibom youth away from politics to greater self development in sports.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel’s commitment to sports development has attracted the attention of sports stakeholders and lovers in Nigeria to Akwa Ibom State. That attention earned the Governor a unanimous vote as the Sports Governor of the Year at the 2017 Nigerian Sports Award held in Lagos State.

    More so, Akwa Ibom State has received the 3 Diamond National Sports Summit Awards 2017 by the Federal Ministry of Sports. The state won that award for having the Most Comprehensive Sport Development Programme in Nigeria 2017; being the state with the Best Sports Infrastructure in Nigeria 2017 and the Most Patriotic Sports Supporters in Nigeria.

    Spokesperson for the state, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said government investment in sports is aimed to redirect sports tourism in Africa to Akwa Ibom State.

    “Government is spending so much money on Sports because he wants to alleviate poverty, create jobs and wealth for youths in the state and beyond.”

    Governor Udom Emmanuel’s passion for sports development is right, hence giving Akwa Ibom State a place in the world’s most sought sports destinations is possible.

  • NFF moves games out of Abuja for lack of facilities

    NFF moves games out of Abuja for lack of facilities

    The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), on Wednesday, said it had to play most national teams’ games outside the Abuja National Stadium, due to lack of facilities there.

    Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF Secretary-General, told newsmen in Abuja, that the national stadium currently lacked the necessary facilities for the teams to play conveniently.

    Sanusi, however, disclosed that the various states had indicated interest in hosting the national teams.

    The female national teams have taken refuge at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, while the Super Eagles moved from the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

    Read also: NFF Includes Comedians Ali Baba, AY in Football Committees

    “Some of these states indicated interest in hosting the teams and that is why we went there. The Abuja National Stadium is under renovation and so there is no facility for us to play our matches here.

    “We have our technical centre here, but there are no dressing rooms. So we are making efforts to see if the dressing rooms can be provided,” he said.

    The Secretary- General added that the football house was planning to take the matches of the teams across the country, so that Nigerians can watch their national teams play live.

    NAN

  • Buhari hails Super Eagles’ victory over Cameroon

    Buhari hails Super Eagles’ victory over Cameroon

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles over Friday’s impressive win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, joined millions of football-loving Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora in applauding the senior men’s football team for their disciplined, skilful and entertaining display against the defending African champions.

    While noting the exhilarating victory, he said that Nigeria is on the verge of qualification for the World Cup in Russia 2018.

    The President urged the players to sustain the momentum as they approach the crucial second leg of the tie in Yaounde, on Monday.

    Buhari also enjoined Nigerians who always see football as a unifying platform, to continue to pray and support the team to guarantee victory next week and make qualification doubly sure.

    He also commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued support and provision of excellent hosting facilities.

     

     

  • 5,000 supporters club members for Nigeria Algeria match

    5,000 supporters club members for Nigeria Algeria match

    No fewer than 5,000 Nigeria Football Supporters Club members will be the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on November 12 to cheer Super Eagles in their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

    President-General of the club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Okitipupa, Ondo state.

    Ladipo said that the match was a crucial one which should be given all seriousness and optimal support for the Eagles to triumph.

    He implored all football loving Nigerians to turn out en-masse in green-white-green jersey to support the national team.

    “Over 5,000 of our registered members will mobilise support for the Eagles because this match is a crucial one which should be given all the necessary support.

    “I urge Nigerians to turn out in their large numbers to rally support for the Eagles.’’

    Ladipo urged the eagles to deplore all their tactical approach and team spirit to ensure victory at the encounter.

    NAN recalls that the Eagles defeated Chipolopolo of Zambia 2-1 on Oct. 9 at Ndola in the first match of their group qualifiers.

    Algeria and Cameroon are the other countries in the group.