Creative Industry

MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja Can Be A Major Tourist Destination If……FCT Minister

Published

5 years ago

June 18, 2020

…As FCTA, Sports Ministry partner on Stadium Rehabilitation

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has revealed that the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja can really become a major tourist destination within the country if the rehabilitation works are done properly.

To this end, the FCT Administration will partner with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for the rehabilitation of the in Abuja so that it can be utilized to its fullest potentials.

Malam Bello, made this disclosure when he received Mr. Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports in his office on Thursday, in Abuja.

According to him, the stadium is a very important public monument in Abuja which he said has not served its full potential. He said that after the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the stadium is the second most iconic public edifice in Abuja, noticeable immediately upon arrival into the city.

Speaking on working with the Sports Ministry to rehabilitate the stadium, Malam Bello said: “rehabilitating the stadium is going to be in our own joint interest, not only as an Administration but as a people … particularly now that it’s very clear that moving abroad for holidays or for short trips that were the popular pastime of many in Nigeria, is not going to be as it used to be”

“As a matter of fact, in the last two and a half months, flights have not flown out or come into this country. So, it is now that we will start to appreciate the beauty of what we have across the country. Each the time I go to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, I feel very delighted and proud that we have something like this in Nigeria”.

He advised the Sports Ministry to work out a long term sustainable plan with the private sector to open up the various facilities in the stadium for public use.

While offering the expertise of the relevant departments of the FCTA for the rehabilitation process, the FCT Minister said that attention should be focused on vegetation control, waste evacuation, and lighting. According to him, the stadium is exceptionally beautiful when lit up at night. He said that if the rehabilitation works are done properly, the stadium can really become a city within a city and be a major tourist destination within the country.

Speaking earlier, the Minister, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Dare, said that the Moshood Abiola Stadium was one of the four Federal Government stadia across the country and the Ministry is committed to ensuring that the iconic monument came back to life and full functionality for the benefit of the sporting community and the entire country.

In the words of the Sports Minister, “the stadium as it is, is not just for sportsmen and women alone. It is built in such a comprehensive way that it is a city within a city with a 5,000 capacity parking lot, a 64,000 capacity sitting arena, 54 executive suites furnished, all locked up that can be rented and given out; about nine different football practice pitches, Olympic sized swimming pool and eight massive generators. We have a stream that runs across it and a massive expanse of land to build a five-star hotel. We want to turn it into a piece of real estate and a sporting facility that will be the pride of this country and the pride of Africa and we think that the FCT will be a worthy partner”.

In attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretaries of the FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, and the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development Mr. Gabriel Tanimu Aduda and other senior members of staff of both organizations.

Share on Facebook

Creative Industry

Stephanie Linus, Juliet Ibrahim 8 others Appointed Jury Members For Zuma International Film Festival

Published

3 months ago

November 13, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Ten-member 10 jury of reputable Nigerian and foreign filmmakers to adjudicate on all entries in the competitive category of the Zuma international film festival, 2024, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital from December 1st to 5th, which is jointly being organized by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been announced.

Announcing the constitution of the ten-member jury through a statement issued in Abuja (on Monday, November, 11, 2024); Brian Etuk, NFC’s Director of Public Affairs, said “the jury is most critical to the selection of winning entries and composition of the jury reflects the premium and niche of ZUMA International Film Festival, as one of the continents fastest growing international film festivals and market events”.

He said, this explains why membership of the jury includes both Nigerian and foreign film stakeholders who have in the recent past promoted authentic Nigerian and African resonate stories, and continue to contribute immensely to the growth of inclusive global film production.

Stephanie Okereke Linus, an A-list Nigerian actress, filmmaker, activist with lead appearances in over 100 movies, including an Afro-Hollywood, USA Filmmakers Award for Excellence, Reel Awards for Best Actress, and recently, the AMVCA Award for Best Overall Movie in Africa as well as recipient of the AMAA Award for Best Nigerian Film for her impactful work DRY was named as the Chairperson of the Jury.

Other members are Kenneth Gyang- director of This Is Lagos, Mojisola as well as Oloture Netflix’s Original from Nigeria; Aisha Halilu Abdullahi – a docu-drama and documentary specialist; Ishaq Sidi Ishaq – an actor, writer and producer of “Kamilu”,‘‘Wasila’’; Charles Novia – an avant-garde Nollywood ﬁlmmaker, scriptwriter, producer, director and creative entrepreneur; Hakeem Kae Kazim – a supremely talented actor, producer, director of great cinematic portrayal of George Rutugunda in the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda, as well as playing leading roles in The Librarian.

The Triangle, and knack for creating feisty and deeply thrilling characters; Sihle Hlophe – director with multiple awards and over 15 years of experience; Ronya Man – an acting coach and creative arts specialist with handles on Lahira, SIN.

The Johnsons, as well as Juliet Ibrahim – a bilingual (French and English) speaking multiple award-wining producer, director, entrepreneur with over 100 movie appearances. Zaiyanu Tanko Waziri, a veteran filmmaker and broadcaster with over two decades of professional experience was also named as member of the jury.

In the statement, Dr. Ali Nuhu, NFC’s Managing Director & Chairman, Festival Organising Committee, on behalf of its partner, the FCTA, congratulated Stephanie Okereke – Linus for emerging as Chairperson of the Jury. Dr. Nuhu said that the Jury Chairperson and her team’s roles are critical to the overall success of the Film Festival brand, which no effort has been spared in its organization in terms of content, attendance and participation. NFC; Nuhu averred, remains committed to achieving the objectives of sustaining the positive narratives that Nigeria with a huge creative economy, is indeed the hub of film production in Africa.

Zuma International Film Festival 2024, the 14th in the series and themed: Digital Renaissance: Embracing The Future takes place December 1st – 5th at Chida Event Centre, Abuja Nigeria. Meanwhile, Etuk added that the online registration portal of the film festival has opened, and intending participants can register through the link :- https://zumafilmfest.com/zuff-2024-registration.

Share on Facebook