Sports

Gov Fintiri assures NFF of world-class stadium in Yola in few months’ time

Published

10 months ago

August 15, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has pledged that his administration will ensure the completion of a magnificent stadium in the capital city, Yola before the end of March 2025.

Governor Fintiri made this pledge in Yola on Thursday, while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Football Federation led by its President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, at the Government House.

“I want to thank you specially for this auspicious courtesy call. My administration has always been committed to constructing a befitting stadium, for the benefit of our teeming youth population in this State and the nation at large. Your coming will definitely hasten the pace of this project.

“Building the stadium is our own way of fighting poverty, youth restiveness and juvenile delinquency. We know that when the youth have the means of empowerment, and positive areas to channel their energy, all manner of vices and mischief reduce drastically in a society. We enjoin you to visit the site and advise the government appropriately on whichever aspects we have left out or have not set out properly, so that we can amend and incorporate those observations into the project.”

Earlier, Gusau had praised Governor Fintiri and his administration for the giant strides being made in several sectors in the State, and particularly expressed excitement at the latter’s expressed determination to conclude the project within a few months.

“Presently, we are experiencing hard times in our football with regards to stadia infrastructure. As I speak to you, we can only host our ‘A’ matches at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Your commitment to completing the stadium here in record time will help Nigeria Football, and ultimately become a magnificent legacy of your administration.

“Football is passion; football is life. It is the only factor that unifies all our peoples from different backgrounds and physical and mental divides. Sporting infrastructure enables the youth to be meaningfully and fruitfully engaged, and I assure you that the NFF will do whatever it can in terms of providing advice on configuration as the project moves ahead.”

Gusau also advised Governor Fintiri to sponsor an U17 Football Championship in the State, which will be organized by the Adamawa State Football Association, to unearth talents that can be nurtured from the grassroots to stardom.

It was learnt that the Adamawa New Stadium Complex had been glossed over by the three previous administrations in the State.

Present as well as the occasion were the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Alhaji Auwal Tukur; Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Amos; Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Adamawa State, Barr. Yakubu Wali; Member of NFF Executive Committee, Mr. Timothy Heman Magaji; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Hon. Commissioner for Sports in Taraba State, Mr. Joseph Joshua; Chairman of Adamawa FA, Mr. Waziri Furo Gawe; Chairman of Gombe State FA, Mr. Yakubu Sarma; Hon. Sajo Mohammed; Chairman of Yobe State FA, Alhaji Garba Mohammed; NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; NFF’s Head of Member Associations, Ali Abubakar Muhammad; SA to NFF President, Danladi Umar and; Super Falcons’ Assistant Coach, Justin Madugu.

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Sports

NSC Applauds Enugu State Govt,, as LOC for 23rd NSF is Inaugurated

Published

6 hours ago

June 19, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Preparations for the highly anticipated 23rd National Sports Festival, tagged “Coal City Games Enugu 2026” have taken a significant leap forward as the Enugu State Government officially inaugurated the Festival’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on Wednesday in Enugu.

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah for his swift action and commitment to hosting a successful festival.

“With the inauguration of this high-powered Local Organizing Committee, we are confident that the Coal City Games Enugu 2026 will raise the bar in excellence, inclusion, and legacy. The caliber of individuals on this committee reflects the seriousness with which Enugu is approaching this national assignment. The National Sports Commission is fully aligned and will provide all necessary support to ensure a seamless festival that inspires hope, talent discovery, and national unity,” Hon. Olopade stated.

The newly inaugurated LOC, chaired by the Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr, is composed of seasoned professionals with vast experience in sports administration, event management, and youth development. Their mandate is to deliver a world-class festival that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in tapping into a growing sports economy as a vehicle for national growth and unity.

The members of the committee include:
• Bamiduro Olumide – Sports management expert and former national badminton champion (Secretary General)
• Mary Onyali – Olympian and former international sprint queen
• Aku Akazu – Sports lawyer and 2nd Vice president AFN
• Victor Okorie – Elite athlete and member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria
• Blessing Chisalam Ekwe – COO of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, FIFA-licensed agent
• Davidson Owumi – COO of the Nigeria Professional Football League, former GM, Enugu Rangers
• Tony Ugwu – Chairman, Enugu State Football Association
• Henry Chinedu Okorie – Nigeria Olympic Committee Executive Member, Chair of the Athletics Athletes Commission
• Jonathan Nnaji – President, Nigeria Modern Pentathlon Federation; VP, Africa Modern Pentathlon Confederation
• Boniface Onovo – Director of Organizing, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Ephraim Ochonma – Director of Coaching, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports
• Obiora Obasi – Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner

Furthermore, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah outlined the State’s bold and transformative plan to ensure the success and lasting impact of the festival.

The plan includes the construction of a new Games Village to accommodate athletes and officials, remodeling of the existing stadiums into state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting international competitions, as well as the development of additional sporting facilities across the state that meet global standards and support year-round sports development.

Governor Mbah also stated the plan to promote local content through prioritizing local contractors, vendors, and creatives before and during the festival to stimulate the local economy and celebrate Enugu’s cultural heritage.

The National Sports Festival, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Olympics,” is the country’s premier sporting event. The 23rd edition is expected to attract thousands of athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, with Enugu poised to deliver a vibrant and unforgettable experience.

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