According to a popular quote from the book of Proverbs 29: 18, ” where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” That Bible verse must have propelled the erstwhile administration of the incumbent President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, as the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015, to construct a world-class stadium; Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo,
Expectedly, the project, while under construction, was described as a white elephant project by his traducers and those who chose to see nothing good in the project and, his administration. They saw it as a waste of state resources on a project that would do no good to the state. Akpabio, knowing the vision he saw for the state, forged ahead and delivered a world-class stadium that is today, being sought after, both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Akpabio, while speaking at the commissioning of the over 30 thousand-seat capacity stadium, (which was later named after him, in recognition of the uncommon transformation he brought into the state), which was witnessed by incumbent African presidents, said that, “this edifice we are commissioning today will produce the next sets of, Pele, Ronaldo, Messi, Serena Williams, Mike Tyson and numerous others from the state and, by extension, Nigeria.
Akpabio, while speaking at the epoch-making day of his then administration, did not know that what he has just commissioned for Nigerians, would sooner than later, become the saving grace for African football.
During the opening of the Stadium, President John Mahama, the Chairman of Ecowas and President of Ghana (as he then was), with President Alsanne Quattara of Cote de Ivoire and President Goodluck Johnathan, was generous in his description of the Stadium and pouring of accolades on Akpabio as an Emerging Development Czar in Africa.
A few days ago, news filtered from neighbouring West African brothers; Ghana, that the football governing body in Africa has considered the options for Ghana’s Black Stars’ remaining home matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, to be played outside Ghana
According to a release by the soccer ruling body in Africa, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi is not good enough to host the matches. The CAF based its decision on the report of its inspection team, which failed to approve any stadium in Ghana for CAF competitions as a result of structural defects, flooding and even bad playing surfaces.
CAF, therefore, directed Ghana to secure an alternative venue for crucial Matchday 3 and 4 ties in October outside the country.
As a saving grace, one of the flagship projects of Visioner Godswill Akpabio; the Nest of Champions, as it was known before it was named after him by the State Government, is the preferred choice of the Ghana Football Association. Football Officials in Ghana are reported to prefer the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Nigeria.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is no doubt one of the most modern stadiums in Africa, with numerous super facilities which include a superb lush green playing surface. The over 30 thousand capacity stadium is being considered by the Ghanaian authorities due to its proximity and the brotherly nature between the citizens of the two countries.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is now home to the National Football Team of Nigeria; The Super Eagles. Apart from that, it has also been hosting both national and international football competitions.
In May 2018, the stadium hosted a pulsating encounter between the Nigerian Super Eagles and La Liga giants, Atletico Madrid. The match was played at an packed to the rafters Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo with fans travelling in from different cities across Nigeria to witness the historic match.
The atmosphere in the Stadium was amazing as fans beheld in flesh and blood popular International football stars like Fernando “El Nino” Torres and the iconic manager, Diego Simeone. A major boost in diplomacy, the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Marcelino Cabanas Ansorena, was also in attendance.
Today the choice of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by the Ghanaian Football Federation is a foretold prophecy.
The question currently on the lips of not a few Nigerians on this recent development in Africa is, ” if Akpabio had, due to blind criticisms from his opponents then, abandoned the project, which stadium would have been approved by CAF for our darling Super Eagles? Would there have been any succour for our Ghanaian brothers in this hour of their distress?
For having the vision for generations yet unborn, Godswill Akpabio, apart from keeping the law, is today, also a very happy man.
*Udom, is the Special Assistant Media To The President Of The Senate
