ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A social rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has questioned plans by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to build a FIFA standard 35,000 capacity stadium in Aba, the business hub of the state.
Yesufu who raised the question on her X handle write, “Should this be a priority?
“To spend billions building a stadium? That’s not low hanging fruit”
Abia state governor, Alex Otti reveals plans to build a FIFA standard 35,000 capacity stadium in Aba.
It was gathered that Governor Otti had a strategic meeting with one of the leading construction companies in China, Tianjin-Yuyang Construction Engineering Co. Limited (TYC) who has indicated strong interest to Partner with the Abia State Government to build a FIFA International Standard State-of –the-art multipurpose 35,000 attendance capacity stadium in Abia State.
After several meetings and engagements with the officials of Abia State Government, coordinated by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development the representatives of the company met with the Governor to fast track negotiations.
Speaking during the meeting they said, “We are here not as traditional contractors, we are here to partner with you sir. We are not relying on the state giving us mobilization to move to site. We are coming in with zero mobilization, we also want our payment to be spread within the tenure of your administration”
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Responding to Yesufu’s question @AishaYesufu, @Mazichimdi234 said “Yes. Sports is a strong ‘low hanging’ instrument in fighting socio-economic issues like juvenile and youth crimes. If only Nigerian states can leverage sports and building recreation centres in residential areas for kids/children to go play and do sports.
“It all depends on the details of the agreement. Usually Chinese bring all their materials – human, capital & execute the project. Sports is a big industry which Abia can look at monetizing. Who says Nigeria cannot become like Jamaica, producing athletes that can go earn globally?
“like football, table tennis, b/ball, swimming etc. It will create jobs too cos people will man the place and admin work will need to be done.”
Also responding, @Kjheto wrote, “Sports can be an instrument in fighting socioeconomic issues but not a 35k sitting capacity stadium that is sitting in one LGA. Mini stadia in several LGAs employed to discover & nurture talents is the ultimate, to cater for different types of sports. Sports in Africa is not viable. Look at the AFCON, none of the stadium gets a full capacity crowd. Tech has also kept people away from stadium, with live steaming. Once the economy good people would be happy and going to the stadium would sound nice to the ear.”
Reacting also, @SeerVoice said, “Most youths learn how to smoke and some cults activities from places like stadium. Most especially when they don’t have other things that will make them busy.
Stadium is good but it’s more important to engage youths in profitable activities. Sport alone is not enough.”