Sports

Enoh Restates Commitment To Sports Development in Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has restated that he will explore all necessary avenues to ensure the resuscitation of sporting facilities across the country so as to provide the nation’s athletes with an enabling environment to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

The Minister gave the assurance today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja when he received the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi and her team.

He stated that sports development is one of the cardinal priorities of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration and thus, no stone would be left unturned in the realization of the objective.

Senator Enoh explained that this is one of the reasons why he has accepted to operate from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, being a very definitive National Monument, the best multi-purpose Stadium Complex in Africa and has all the necessary facilities which can stand alongside international Stadia in contemporary age.

He informed that one of his earnest desire is to see sports develop right from the grassroots, that is, the primary, secondary, even to the University environment with a view to having best representations for all games that the country is participating in.

The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, the Management Team as well as the University of Calabar Alumni in particular, for felicitating with him on his appointment, assuring that he will not fail in lifting the name of the Alma Mater high, through the diligent discharge of his mandate in line with the policy thrust of the present administration.

Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi said she was in the Ministry to felicitate with one of their own on his appointment as the Honourable Minister of Sports Development.

She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of such a challenging appointment, adding that the University of Calabar and Cross Riverians are proud of him and solidly behind him, as such will continue to support him, not only to transform sports as a viable sector of the economy but to also ensure that Nigeria joins the Committee of sporting nations.

The Vice Chancellor who was accompanied on the visit by the Registrar, Ambassador Gabriel Egbe;Director, Academic Planning, Prof Omoogun and Alumni Relations Officer, Sir Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe also presented a Card of Felicitation to the Honourable Minister.

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

6 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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