…Donates Under-15 Trophy To Benue
MAKURDI – The President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Aliyu Gusau, has hinted that the Aper Aku stadium, when completed would likely be a venue for future international matches that would host matches for the Super Eagles.
He disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists while he was in Makurdi, the Benue State capital to inspect work at the Aper Aku stadium on Tuesday.
The NFF President who was in company of the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, during the inspection, earlier donated two trophies: the Governor’s cup and a trophy for the Under-15 football for grassroot competition in the state.
While he expressed satisfaction with work done at the stadium, Gusau, added that Aper Aku stadium would serve as an alternative for international matches, when completed.
The NFF President said, “I was quite impressed when I heard that the Governor awarded the contract for the renovation of the Aper Aku Stadium. I felt very happy. You know what we are going through in terms of infrastructure in this country. For now we can only play grade A matches that is Super Eagles matches in Uyo and this has become a sense of worry and concern to the Football body and to Nigerians.
“A country like Nigeria to say that we only have one stadium to play grade A matches is not something to be happy about. When last time I complained to the Governor about this and he listened and is doing what he is doing here, I must say I am happy with what I have seen.
“We have put technical person here who will be working hand in hand with the contractor to see that everything is going on fine so that in the nearest future we may have an alternative and that alternative should be Makurdi for our matches.
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“I want us to see that in shortest possible time, we have an alternative to Uyo stadium. With the commitment of the Governor, I know it is going to be possible”, he said confidently.
Also speaking with newsmen, the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, said, he came to the stadium alongside the NFF President, so that together they would assess the level of work at the facility.
According to him, “This is why I came down here (stadium) with the President to see and do an assessment; I’ve been here numerous times. I know that football is a treasure and where your treasure is there your heart is. Football unites, it brings every body together just under one canopy of sports and that is my excitement and that’s what my state needs, what Nigeria needs, unity.
“So sports is a very big factor that can bring all of us together and also there are other attachments; the economic attachment and other value chains, not just to football but sports as a whole.
“I am so excited that the NFF President has also brought to us the Under-15 trophy as well. Benue has the DNA for football and I see him encouraging us, it brings a lot of enthusiasm to my heart and I see that this is something we must achieve.
“We have produced so great talents here. So the question remains why are we kind of laid back from reinventing this. I am so satisfied and I am quite fulfilled to see them come all the way just to inspect and monitor how things are going and ensure that we keep to the standard that is required and expected and that is what we are going to do.
“As I talk to you I see something working towards us; I smell it and I want to grab it and bring it to Benue state
“Yes, it is. The contractor keeps assuring us and I see he has even gone above and beyond with the work. So I’m confident that he is within his time limit and he will deliver”, the governor said assumingly.
