11 Years Ago Today, Chief Godswill Akpabio Gave Nigeria: THE GODSWILL AKPABIO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM

[Abigail pereowei]

Exactly eleven years ago today, Chief Godswill Akpabio brought three sitting Presidents: President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and former President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana to Uyo for the inauguration of the edifice that has been fittingly named after him: the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. That in itself was unprecedented.

The 30,000 capacity stadium, which offers total cover from the rain, has one of the most remarkable features including bulletproof VVIP and VIP areas, all natural grass, high-tech floodlights, and provision for an indoor sports hall, training pitch and collapsible seats.

It also features a box office, two dressing rooms, media facilities, two scoreboards that are made up of an electronic scoreboard and video facilities for replays, 7,500 seater Grand Stand, eight-lane 400m standard track, a standby power supply system, warm-up facility with a six-lane 400m track, and ambulance bay.

Inside the stadium, three colours of seats- orange, white and green- which represents both Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria, are used. At night, the entire stadium may be lighted up with warm white light which magnifies the beauty of the mosaic three coloured seats.

Since the inauguration eleven years ago, Chief Akpabio has brought not only Nigeria to Akwa Ibom State, but the entire world. Who would have thought that in our lifetime, we would witness a La Liga team, Athletico Madrid, with a parade of world soccer super stars, play in Uyo. This is aside the many national teams that have come to play in the magnificent edifice.

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium has hosted and indeed has become the home of the Super Eagles. This is where they play all their matches, all because of the vision of one man: Senator Godswill Akpabio.

On the occasion of the anniversary of this stadium, I give some accolades to a man of vision: His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Godswill Akpabio, GCON.

~ Mr. Anietie Ekong

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