By Fred Iwenjora
Have you ever ruminated
over the fact that the only stadium of international standard that is well
maintained to host international competitions in Nigeria at the moment is the
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (formerly Akwa Ibom International
Stadium)?
This is because the National stadium both in Lagos and Abuja
are national eye sore even though so much money is voted and actually used to
maintain it yearly.
Destitute people now reside at the majestic but ill-maintained
Surulere, Lagos edifice just like the Abuja stadium is not taken seriously by
the government that built it.
Whenever there is an international sports activity in
Nigeria like it has been in the last few years, the world focuses on Uyo, Akwa
Ibom state via satellite and internet.
As at last count, almost all the World cup or African
Nations cup qualifying series in recent times played by the Super Eagles had
been played at Uyo causing the world to unanimously applaud the huge foresight
of the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Godswill Akpabio who saw the importance
of bequeathing such a wonderful legacy to his people.
Recall that critics laughed him to scorn when during his
reign as governor he in his usual candour and loquaciousness talked about his Uncommon
Transformation in area of sports development.
Akpabio had dreamt of erecting a very mighty ultra modern stadium
which will attract the world to the state as a replacement for Uyo Township
stadium.
However right now he
is without doubt, having the last laugh as the stadium which his administration
completed in two years is currently the most sought after for different kinds
of international sporting activities in Nigeria and the name Godswill Akpabio reverberating
across board.
Inside the stadium is a lush green pitch (see pix) and red 800m
tartan tracks among others.
Wikipidia describes it as
an” all-seater national sports stadium located in Uyo, the state capital
of Akwa Ibom. The stadium serves as a home to the Nigerian Super Eagles as well
as a center for various social, cultural, and religious events. The contract
for the construction of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex and Games
Village was awarded in 2012 to Julius Berger and was completed in 2014. The
30,000 seater ultra modern multipurpose sports complex was modeled after
Allianz Arena.
Construction and Architecture
Contract for the
design of the stadium was awarded to Julius Berger a structural engineering
firm based in Nigeria. They were responsible for the architectural design,
execution planning, as well as constructional supervision of the stadium,as
well as maintenance. The stadium which seats on 48 hectares of land has some
unique features such as bullet proof VIP/VVIP sections, collapsible seats, two
digital score boards, digital playback screens, digital flood lights, and 30
emergency exits
Structure
The stadium structure is in two phases which includes a
400m-running track for athletic events, and is the pilot part of Uyo Sports
Park development, and is enclosed by a white triangular-shaped outer covering
that encircles the whole spectator stand. The East Stand and Curves can seat
approximately 22,500 people. The Governors' Lounge has sitting capacity for
between 30 and 40 VVIPs and is located in the Grand Stand on Level Two. It is
constructed to carry little more than 30,000 spectators
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