The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed his delight with the completion of work and handing over of the rehabilitated pitch and scoreboards at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, by Dangote Group and Aron Nigeria Ltd on Tuesday.

The Minister commended the companies over the successful completion of the projects and called for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to further advance sports development in Nigeria.

The rehabilitation of the National Stadium facilities by Dangote Group and Aron Nigeria Ltd represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance sports infrastructure in the country. Senator Enoh applauded the commitment and resources invested by the Dangote Group, describing their involvement as a shining example of the positive outcomes achievable through collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector.

“As a country, we are indebted to Dangote Group for the huge resources it committed to the rehabilitation of the National Stadium. I look forward to more collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to develop sports in our country,” stated Senator Enoh.

The Minister urged the private sector to display greater interest and commitment to investing in sports, emphasizing the pivotal role sports play in shaping the destinies of millions of Nigerian youths. He noted that sports, beyond its recreational value, has become a significant business, and the Ministry of Sports Development is ready to engage in fruitful partnerships with the private sector to harness this potential.

Despite the significance of the handover, Senator Enoh highlighted a critical issue—the non-certification of the pitch at the National Stadium by CAF and FIFA, preventing Grade A matches from being played. He stated his determination to reverse this tide, emphasizing that the Ministry under his leadership would work diligently to ensure the pitch meets international standards. He stressed the importance of the national stadium in hosting Grade A matches, especially for the various National Teams of Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, lauded the partnership between the government and the private sector that led to the successful handover. He commended Dangote Group for its substantial rehabilitation efforts as part of its corporate social responsibility and called on other stakeholders to invest significantly in sports development.

Representatives of contractors, Aron Nigeria Ltd, Soji Adeniyi expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the project. He commended Dangote Group for its sponsorship and timely payments, acknowledging the cooperation of the Ministry’s facility managers in completing the project.

Senator John Owan Enoh laid down a marker for the continued maintenance of the National Stadium beyond the handover, pledging that the Ministry of Sports Development would ensure the facilities remain in perfect condition.

In conclusion, the Minister of Sports Development reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to fostering a robust partnership between the government and the private sector, ensuring the continued growth and success of sports development in Nigeria.

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