Moshood Abiola National Stadium: CAF Head of Security Writes Open Letter to FCT Minister 

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief

Worried by the none-existence of internationally recognised sports infrastructure in Nigeria’s seat of government, a top official of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Christian Emeruwa has written an Open Letter to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike asking him to include the provision of sports infrastructure in the massive infrastructural development projects currently going on in Abuja.

Emeruwa, the Head of Safety and Security of CAF in Cairo, Egypt but who is currently in Nigeria on official duty as the Lead, Stadium Safety, Security Planning, and Risk Management Operations for African football matches and tournaments, said he is constrained to write the Open Letter based on his on-the-spot assessment of the state of sports infrastructure in the FCT.

His letter read: “A SPECIAL APPEAL TO HIS EXCELLENCY, NYESOM WIKE, CON, MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

I visited Abuja a few days ago and almost lost my way not because I was driving, but because the road network of the city has changed so significantly that, if you are not careful, you may actually miss your way!

My friend  picked me up from the Transcorp Hilton to see my doctor, and to my greatest surprise, we got there in no time, using roads and connections I could hardly recognise.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I know Abuja.

I built my house in Abuja and, from 2007 until January 2019, I was very much an “Abuja man” before the call of duty took me to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in February 2019. So, I can confidendtly say that I knew this city very well.

But as I write this, I am not sure I can still claim to know Abuja.

The transformation of the city’s road infrastructure under His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, CON, has been remarkable. I saw new and improved roads, flyovers and other infrastructure across the city. I also saw the fountains around the City Gate, with families enjoying the environment. Abuja is visibly changing.

Then I decided to visit what I might jokingly call “my constituency” the sporting infrastructure of the city.

I drove to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

As I entered through the stadium gate, it felt as though I had suddenly left the Abuja I had just been admiring.

Here stood one of Nigeria’s great national sporting monuments, seemingly living in the shadow of its past glory, while a transformed Abuja was rapidly developing around it.

I found myself wondering: Has anyone drawn the attention of the Honourable Minister to this?

Knowing what His Excellency accomplished in Rivers State, including his investment in sports infrastructure and the establishment of the Real Madrid Academy, I cannot believe that sport has no place in his vision for a renewed Federal Capital Territory.

Perhaps we, the sports people, have simply not made our case strongly enough.

So, since I do not have the Honourable Minister’s direct contact, I am making this appeal publicly and respectfully:

Your Excellency, please extend the Abuja renewal to our sporting infrastructure.

Please take a look at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and the Old Parade Ground, and consider how these important sporting facilities can become part of the wider transformation taking place across the FCT.

Roads and bridges connect communities, but sport also connects people. Sporting facilities provide spaces for our young people, create economic activity, promote healthy living, support national teams and give a city places where its citizens can gather around a common identity.

Imagine a fully revitalised National Stadium standing proudly alongside the new roads, bridges and public infrastructure now defining Abuja.

Imagine the Old Parade Ground transformed into a modern, safe and vibrant community sporting facility in the heart of the capital.

These facilities should not stand in the shadow of Abuja’s transformation. They should be part of it.

Your Excellency, you have demonstrated what is possible when there is political will and a determination to deliver infrastructure.

Please remember sport in the Abuja renewal agenda.

The sporting community will be grateful, the young people of Abuja will benefit, and Nigeria’s capital city will be better for it.

Abuja is changing. Let our sporting infrastructure change with it.

Christian Emeruwa, MBA,PhD

Concerned Sports Professional”.