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Pomp and ceremony in Uyo as President Jonathan commissions Akwa Ibom International Stadium

Friday, November 7, 2014, there was a big buzz in the South-South region of Nigeria as three heads of Governments from across the West African sub-region gathered for the elaborate commissioning of one of the most magnificent sporting infrastructure in Africa. In our clime, it was the most colourful and fantastic carnival in recent times.
That evening, President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, who laid the foundation stone for the Olympic-sized stadium two years ago led Ghanaian leader, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, Ivorian Head of State, Dr. Alassane Ouattara and Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlins (Rtd.), former Ghanaian head of state to the commissioning of the stately ultra-modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, with Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, as Chief Host.

Akwa Ibom International Stadium
Akwa Ibom International Stadium

The stadium built by Akpabio showcased a majestic facility, which has already been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, as one of the key points of his uncommon transformation of the oil-rich state.
Apart from Presidents Jonathan, Mahama and Ouattara, some governors from across the country also showed solidarity while the President of Nigeria Football Federation; Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick led some executive committee members and management staff of NFF to grace the event.
The 30,000-capacity venue, with a 70-seater bullet-proof State Box, has been described by the Vice President of Ghana Football Association, Mr. Fred Crentsil, who was sent by CAF to inspect the venue as being “among the best you can find anywhere in the world.”
The high point of the commissioning was an international friendly match between the home-based senior national team of Nigeria, Super Eagles B, and Black Meteors, the U-23 national team of Ghana. The match provided the perfect tenor for the 2015 Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana in less than a fortnight.
Though facilities were stretched within in the dainty city of Uyo, the party still went on with FIFA and CAF Match Commissioner, Etubom Paul Bassey, coordinating various aspects of the programme that ensured all arrangements being in place for the hitch-free event.
For the opening ceremony, free tickets were made available to all segments of the AKS society and were clearly labelled with seat numbers while guests were entertained by performances from cultural displays, top brass musicians, athletic works, fanfare, carnivals and several other attractions.
In the line-up of activities was Princess Pat Akpabio a Voting Member of the Grammy’s Recording Award, who led the nation in singing the National Anthem to the backdrop of an extraordinary display that stretched from Uyo’s inner harbour into the world.
Others were the National Anthem of Cote D”Ivoire was led by Patience Ehi, National Anthem of Ghana by Emem Andrew and backed by Ibom Unity Brass Band, a song, Afo ‘modot itoro, by Aity Dennis; a Special commemorative song by Akwa Ibom music stars: Aity Dennis, Pat Akpabio, Fadabasi, Icekyd, Presh, King David, Mc Galaxy, Dikan, Desmond Offong, Unik, Mr. Xto, Pasto Goody Goody, Mish, Queen Favour, Skankin Master, Aniekan Sasforo, Ann Inyang and Lemmy Jackson.
There was also a marching display by the Real Brass Band while pre-match entertainment featured Mish, singing Akwa Ibom Ayaya; Mavin’s crew, singing DoroBucchi; KCee, singing Limpopo amongst several other performances too numerous to mention here.
Lest I forget, the baddest crew – Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid, D Prince and other artistes of the Mavin Crew were not only the cynosure of all eyes, they stole the hearts of Akwa Ibomites in their all-white ensembles. And notable footballers present included George Weah, Victor Agali, Taribo West, Peter Rufai, Stephen Keshi and Daniel Amokachi, among many others.
Meanwhile, the government of Akwa Ibom State has debunked rumours of deaths and stampede during the opening ceremony of the ultra-modern Ibom International Stadium. The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, speaking on the news in the social media that two deaths were recorded due to stampede, said it was falsehood intended to discredit the very successful event that attracted commendations from around the world.
According to him, “Though there were cases of exhaustion and tiredness due to the massive crowd, no death was recorded throughout the event that lasted for about seven hours.” He maintained that the robust medical team of over 100 specialists and ambulances on standby effectively took care of the few cases of exhaustion and minor injuries during the occasion.

 

AND EMEM EDUOK IS MAN OF THE MATCH

EMEM EDUOK
EMEM EDUOK

Friday night at the prestigious Akwa Ibom International Stadium a.k.a. The Nest of Champions, before three serving African presidents and one past with the chief host, Governor Akpabio, a 30,000-cheering soccer fan base and life beam on the AKBC, AIT, NTA, Silverbird TV, Supersports Event 199, SS9, SS3Ni, SS7Ni and SS SELECT, Emem Eduok, another sibling of this same family of patriots arose a star, to make Akwa Ibom and Nigeria proud by scoring the only goal that defeated Ghana thus making history by being the first person to score a goal in a match in the Nest of Champions and being the first ‘Man of the Match’ in the Nest of Champions, thus giving the family, the community, the state and the nation what to smile about after the ugly incidence of Konduga.
How much this feat has translated into naira and kobo as a gesture of appreciation from the host government is not a story for today. But be rest assured that Emem “Machine Gun” Samuel Eduok, as he is popularly called by friends and fans, is the football hero of the moment. Eduok’s history-making goal, a clinical header, came in the 34th minute off a pull-out from Solomon Kwambe which beat Black Meteors of Ghana keeper, Richard Ofori hands down.

 

FACTS ABOUT AKWA IBOM INTERNATIONAL STADIUM

Akwa Ibom International Stadium is a two-tiered structure that includes a 400m-running track for athletic events, and is the pilot part of Uyo Sports Park Development. It sits on a-36.3 hectares of land and is enclosed by a white triangular-shaped outer covering that encircles the whole stands.
Its geometry is developed on the basis of a typical layout for multi-purpose stadia, with an arena with running track, and under consideration of optimal viewing for such sports as football and athletics. It is constructed to seat, severally, a little more than 30,000 spectators for soccer or track and field events.
While the Grand Stand can comfortably accommodate about 7,500 spectators, including the VIP/VVIPs, its East Stand and Curves have provision for approximately 22,500 people. The Governors’ Lounge is in the Grand Stand on Level Two and has sitting capacity for between 30 and 40 VVIPs. Spaces to the left and right of the Governors’ Lounge are the VIP Lounges that can play host to 60-70 people. And on the seating platform of the Governors’ Lounge is provision for fixed seating for 97 VVIPs/VIPs.
Level 0 of the edifice includes such athletes’ facilities as team changing units, collective changing units, referees’ dressing room, office and meeting rooms for team meetings, etc. At this level also are entrances to the East Stand Curves, toilets, first aid stations, stores and stairs to the upper levels, with the whole area rain/sun proof.

– PATRICK OKON

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