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Military Unlawful Takes Over Area 10 Sports Ground, Disrupts Sporting Activities
Military Unlawful Takes Over Area 10 Sports Ground, Disrupts Sporting Activities
Joel Ajayi
The Area 10 Sports Ground, the only sporting complex in the Federal Capital Territory where Athletes train ahead of their participation at major tournaments has been unlawful takes over by the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Airforce and Nigeria Navy.
Area 10 Sports Ground recently have been converted to their parking lot which is affecting the growth and development of the game in the country’s capital city.
The Spacealso serves as a source of generating revenue for the sports department as events like Trade Fair and other activities takes place there.
But the Nigeria military which office is located adjacent to the Sports Center saw the place as a comfortable and spacious place for their personals to park their cars sought the permission of the then Director of Sports to allow them use the space on a temporary note. The Director obliged them by given them a provisional approval pending when they would be able to get a permanent place.
This was how the relationship between the Sports Department of the Federal Capital Territory and the Nigeria Army began. But gradually the volume of vehicle parked on the ground by the military began to affect the activities of the Sports Department which then resulted to asking them to leave, but when the military refused the Sports department had no other option but to lock them out.
In sharp reaction by that the military who were in desperate need of a space for their personnel to park their vehicles forcefully moved over to the other wing of the Sporting center, stationing their men on the gate to chase off any person considered to be an intruder. The matter got so bad to the extent that the military even refused entry those who had paid for the space to hold their trade fair.
Every efforts by the sports department through the office of the Social Development to make the military see reasons that the ground belongs to them has fallen on deaf ear.
Our investigation revealed that as a way of solving the matter diplomatically, the issue was reported to the FCT minister, Mohammed Bello who surprisingly is not showing any concern about it and has so far done nothing about the situation, a situation that may lead to the final takeover of the ground by the military, and should that happen, sports development in the FCT will greatly be affected.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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