The Renovated Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State is set to be inaugurated today (Wednesday) May 24, 2023, as the Administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel winds down.
This adds to the number of world class sports facilities owned by the , Akwa Ibom State government. Asides the prestigious Godswill Akpabio international stadium dubbed the Nest of Champions, inaugurated in 2013 and the remodeled Eket Stadium that was opened for use in 2022.
Located in the heart of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the Uyo Township Stadium has an Olympic size swimming pool, Indoor sports halls plus Astro turf playing surface for football matches.
A ground that once shouldered all sporting activities in Akwa Ibom State, the Udom Emmanuel led administration through the Sir Monday Uko manned Ministry of Youths and Sports undertook remodeling work to give the uplift the face of the facility in line with internationally acceptable standards.
Residents of Nwaniba, in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state have not slept with their eyes closed due to a bloody supremacy clash between two rival cult groups – Klaans and Black Axe confraternities – over the control of a minibus park in that axis.
It was gathered that the incident started on Sunday in the Nwaniba Area of the state when the two groups engaged each other over alleged encroachment into the park to collect parking tolls by one group, forcing an angry reaction from the opposing camp.
A resident of the community, Nora Iwang, told Journalists in Uyo that property estimated at several millions of naira have been destroyed in the clashes while thousands have deserted their homes.
Nora who said she was returning home that fateful day disclosed that she had to sleep with relations and friends outside the area, following distressed calls from frightful neighbours around Udo Ekpo Nkpo Street.
“Thank God, I finally arrived at my house this morning after my friends called me Monday evening to sleep elsewhere and not to return for fear of being killed by the rampaging armed hoodlums,” Iwang lamented.
Investigation revealed that eight people were slaughtered in Use Offot, and over 10 others were killed in Anua, Ekpri Nsukara and Oniong communities, while several others have been hospitalised in various hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.
Meanwhile, the police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the killings, said only four people were killed, adding that “the Commissioner of Police Olatoye Durosinmi, is miffed at the disruption of public order and safety by two rival cult groups at Anua Offot and Use Offot, both at Nwaniba, in Uyo Local Government Area, leading to the loss of lives.
“The CP condemned in strong terms the wanton destruction of lives and has vowed to bring perpetrators to book, hence, he has deployed Tactical resources to restore order and fish out the perpetrators.
“The CP has, therefore, called on residents of the said communities and Uyo, to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and be assured of their safety because of strategies emplaced.
“He has sent a clear warning to perpetrators of these dastardly acts to desist forthwith or face the dire consequences of their actions,” Macdon said in a statement on Tuesday.
The head of FIFA/CAF delegation to Akwa Ibom State Mr. Muhammad Feizal Sidat has commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for providing and maintaining state-of-the-art infrastructures which he described as one of the best in Africa.
Mr. Sidat who is head of professional football at Confederation of African Football CAF expressed satisfaction at the standard of facilities his team inspected ahead of the proposed CAF Super League billed to take kick off in August.
“As head of professional football/ stadium inspection at CAF, I must say that we are surprised in a positive way and we are happy to see A-standard facilities in this part of Nigeria. The Ibom Air flight that brought us from Abuja to Uyo was wonderful, the road network is superb and we enjoyed our drive through the town which looks green with some great vegetation. The stadium and the three hotels we have visited are up to the standard we want, so
congratulations to the local authority here.
“As part of the inspection ahead of the CAF Super League, we have visited many countries in the continent but I can say that we are satisfied with what we have seen here in Uyo and I can say authoritatively that the standard of this stadium is good enough for any type of football match. We want to congratulate the state government, the stadium management for maintaining this facility. Nigeria and Africa should be proud of this stadium.
“Football is not all about the stadium when hosting an international competition but also about the city. So we are very happy that we can have all these beautiful facilities in this city and for the fact that CAF Confederation Cup final was played here few months ago, we have trust in the city of Uyo and we look forward to playing CAF Super League and any other Grand-A competition here”.
On his part, Elder Paul Bassey said he not surprised by the encomiums poured on the Gov Udom administration especially the peace that reigns in the state and prays for continuity going forward.
The Six-man FIFA/CAF delegation arrived Uyo Wednesday evening from Abuja aboard Ibom Air and carried out inspection tour of Ibom Icon Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton Hotels and Monty Suites before inspecting facilities at the Nest of Champions ahead of the Multi-Million Dollar CAF Super League billed for August where Enyimba International will be representing Nigeria in the 24-team league.
The delegation was taken round the facilities by the Senior Special Assistant to governor Udom Emmanuel on Sports Elder Paul Bassey, in the company of Director of Sports in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth and Sports Elder Ifiok Duff, the Vice Chairman Akwa Ibom State Football Association Mr Sammy Umoh and the stadium manager Mr John Udoh.
A number of Akwa Ibom residents have expressed displeasure over their inability to get permanent voter cards, PVCs even as collection has been reverted to Local government areas by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
INEC in Uyo had in a former collection point which was the Traditional Rulers Council on Barracks road, pasted a note on the entrance wall re-directing citizens to its main office in Ikot Akpan Abia.
Inspiration FM correspondent UHUOTU OMILABU visited INEC office to monitor the distribution of PVCs to residents and observed that there were about 5 designated collection points around the building with each named after different wards in Uyo to make accessibility easier and collection much faster.
Despite these efforts, citizens complained of INEC’s inability to make PVCs available for them as some of them were told that their cards were not found, has already been collected or not yet printed by the commission.
Despite the disappointment faced by some, others expressed fulfillment in being able to get their PVC’s as they said their cards will enable them vote their desired leaders.
Inspiration FM tried to speak with the INEC officials present over the cases of missing or yet to be printed PVCs, but none obliged.
The distribution of PVC is still ongoing at the local government level and will last until Sunday, January 29th, 2023 as INEC has maintained that there will be no more extension.
A ground that once shouldered all sporting activities in Akwa Ibom State, the Udom Emmanuel led administration through the Sir Monday Uko manned Ministry of Youths and Sports undertook remodeling work to give the uplift the face of the facility in line with internationally acceptable standards.
