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Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Full nameGodswill Akpabio International Stadium
Location Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
Capacity30,000 (football)
Surface Grass
Construction
Broke ground2012
Opened7 November 2014
Construction cost$96 million [1]
Architect Julius Berger
Tenants
Akwa United F.C.
Nigeria national football team

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (formerly Akwa Ibom International Stadium) [2] is a 30,000 capacity national sports stadium located in Uyo, the state capital of Akwa Ibom. [3] The stadium serves as a home to the Nigerian Super Eagles as well as a center for various social, cultural, Political and religious events.[ citation needed] The contract for the construction of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium complex and Games Village was awarded in 2012 to Julius Berger and was completed in 2014. The 30,000 seater ultra modern multipurpose sports complex was modeled after Allianz Arena. [4]

Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel renamed Akwa Ibom Stadium as Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium, immediately following his inauguration ceremony on May 29, 2015, in the stadium. [5] Godswill Akpabio was the immediate past governor of the state. [5]

Construction and Architecture

The contract for the design of the stadium was awarded to Julius Berger a structural engineering firm based in Nigeria. [6] They were responsible for the architectural design, execution planning, as well as constructional supervision of the stadium, as well as maintenance. [7] The stadium which seats on 48 hectares of land has some unique features such as bullet proof VIP/VVIP sections, collapsible seats, two digital score boards, digital playback screens, digital flood lights, and 30 emergency exits. [8]

Structure

The stadium structure is in two phases which includes a 400m-running track for athletic events, and is the pilot part of Uyo Sports Park development, and is enclosed by a white triangular-shaped outer covering that encircles the whole spectator stand. The East Stand and Curves can seat approximately 22,500 people. The Governors’ Lounge has sitting capacity for between 30 and 40 VVIPs and is located in the Grand Stand on Level Two. It is constructed to carry little more than 30,000 spectators whether for soccer or track and field events, while the Grand Stand can comfortably accommodate about 7,500 spectators, including the VIP/VVIPs. There is also a six-lane track built specifically for athletes to train. [9]

Facilities

The Stadium itself consists of: [10]

  • 30,000 capacity covered main bowl
  • Bullet Proof VVIP/VIP areas
  • Box office
  • Media facilities
  • Two scoreboards that comprise electronic scoreboard and video facilities for replays
  • Floodlights
  • Eight-lane 400m standard track
  • Warm-up facility with six-lane 400m track
  • A standby power supply system
  • 30 emergency exit points
  • 7,500 seater Grand Stand
  • Helipad
  • Two dressing rooms
  • Ambulance bay

The Akwa Ibom International Stadium meets the requirements of the International safety standards; it is equipped with emergency service units (to enable exit within 6 minutes), closed circuit security cameras as well as crowd control steel fencing. There are also stand-by fire fighting equipment and metal detectors which have been put in place to avoid any misfortunes. The stadium has been slated to host the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON )qualifying series against South Africa on 17 November. [11] Local team Akwa United moved into the stadium in 2015 when their ground was being brought up to code. [12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Supersports, Correspondent (5 November 2014). "Black Meteors set for Eagles and Uyo". Supersports.com. Supersports.com. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Akwa Ibom International Stadium renamed Godswill Akpabio Stadium". Business Today Nigeria. businesstodayng.com. 1 June 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Archives - Page 2 of 6". Nigeria Professional Football League. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  4. ^ Crentsil, Fred (7 November 2014). "Uyo bubbles as Jonathan commissions Akwa Ibom Stadium". Sunnewsonline.com. Sunnewsonline.com. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Drama as Governor Emmanuel renames Akwa Ibom Stadium after Akpabio - Daily Post Nigeria". Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  6. ^ "The Opportunity Cost Of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium". P.M. News. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  7. ^ "Akwa Ibom signs contract on Uyo Stadium maintenance". Tribune Newspaper. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  8. ^ Okpara, Christian (17 October 2014). "Uyo Int'l Stadium, Pride Of West Africa, Says Pinnick". The Guardian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  9. ^ Udeme, Utip (5 November 2014). "Ibom International Stadium to employ 5,000 people". Tribune.com.ng. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  10. ^ Okpara, Chris (17 October 2014). "The stadium, located across three villages on 48 hectares of land". Uyo Int’l Stadium, Pride Of West Africa, Says Pinnick. The Guardian Newspaper. The Guardian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  11. ^ Ubani, Toni (10 October 2014). "Uyo Stadium to host Nigeria vs South Africa 2015 qualifier". Vanguardngr.com. Vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Akwa Ibom approves`Nest of Champions' for Akwa United - The Nation Nigeria". 25 June 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
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