The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Author: Editor

  • Ondo Plane Crash: Governor Aiyedatiwa Says No Survivor Found

    Ondo Plane Crash: Governor Aiyedatiwa Says No Survivor Found

    Ondo State

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State says no survivor has been found yet after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said this on Monday hours after the incident, disclosing that residents, emergency responders and security personnel searched the crash site but have yet to find anyone alive.

    “No survivors yet from the information I’ve gotten from the people in there,” Aiyedatiwa said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. “I’ve not been able to speak to the Naval captain who is leading the base, but my security advisor got in contact with the Amotekun leader in the local government and the local government chairman. From all indications, there are no survivors yet that we can record.”

    Twenty-five crew members and seven passengers were aboard the aircraft, which was on a “routine mission” from Benin City in Edo State to Lagos when it went down at Igbokoda in Ondo State shortly after 9:00 am (0800 GMT).

    A video circulating on social media showed a small crowd gathered near a river while rescuers searched the area by boat. Dayo Akinte, 39, a firewood hawker who lives about a kilometre (mile) from where the accident occurred, described to AFP hearing a sound she thought was “thunder”, referring to the time she believes the plane went down.

    ‘There Was No Fire’ 

    Narrating how the incident occurred, the Ondo governor said, “They [people in the area] heard the sound like an air tremor – the shaking. There was no fire, nothing, but some people saw the aircraft nose-dive into the swamp area.

    “So immediately, the Nigerian Navy men—from the information I got—stayed back a bit so that there wouldn’t be an explosion or fire outbreak. So, when they noticed that it was just an area and they didn’t see any sign of fire, they moved in, trying to see if they could rescue the people.

    “Then the local emergency management agency from the local government also tried to move in with residents. Then the Amotekun base at Ilaje Local Government also moved in on time to see if they could rescue some of the victims, but from the information we got, no single life was saved up to this moment.

    “They could not see any living soul that was in that aircraft, but they saw the ruins, some of the wreckage from the wings of the aircraft, with some ID cards that were retrieved, and then some uniforms. That was when they knew it was a military aircraft.”

    The governor said the Nigerian Air Force is “trying to look at the cause” of the fatal incident.

    “So it’s a sad situation today, and we’re all really, really aggrieved as Nigerians. And also, it happened in my own state—not just my state, even in my own local government where I’m from,” he said.

    “So everybody has been mourning what happened to Nigerian military officers who signed up to protect the territorial integrity of our country and are involved in such accidents. It is so painful.”

    In an earlier statement by Ebenezer Adeniyan, his Chief Press Secretary, Aiyedatiwa expressed his “heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Air Force family, and the families of all personnel and passengers on board the ill-fated aircraft. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.” Channels TV

  • 2027: INEC Sets October 9 For Nationwide PVC Collection

    2027: INEC Sets October 9 For Nationwide PVC Collection

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday at a strategic workshop for media executives organised by the commission in partnership with Development Alternatives Incorporated and the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Abuja.

    Amupitan said the National Register of Voters had grown to more than 103 million following the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

    According to him, more than 10.6 million Nigerians submitted applications during the registration exercise.

    He added that INEC had completed the public display of the Preliminary Register of Voters, allowing citizens to raise claims and objections, as well as the final biometric clean-up of the register using its Automated Biometric Identification System.

    The INEC chairman said the commencement of PVC collection was a major step in preparations for the 2027 elections, stressing the commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent and technology-driven electoral process.

    Amupitan said INEC would continue to improve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal to strengthen the credibility of the voting and result-transmission processes.

    He identified public confidence as a crucial component of electoral integrity.

    “The ultimate arbiter of electoral integrity is public trust,” he said.

    The INEC chairman also called for closer cooperation between the commission, media organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to improve the flow of reliable electoral information.

    He said the commission was willing to engage editors on operational concerns and provide timely information on developments to reduce the space for misinformation.

    Amupitan urged media organisations to establish digital fact-checking desks and said INEC would provide editors with channels to verify information concerning field incidents, logistics and security developments.

    He also proposed a sustained feedback mechanism between INEC and the Nigerian Guild of Editors to assess preparations and address emerging challenges throughout the 2027 electoral cycle.

    INEC Tasks Media On PVC Information

    The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, urged the media to provide citizens with accurate information as PVC collection gets underway.

    Eta-Messi identified misinformation and disinformation as factors contributing to declining public participation in the electoral process.

    She called on media organisations to support voter education by ensuring that information reaching the public was accurate, timely and properly verified.

    ### INEC Proposes 24-Hour Verification System

    The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the workshop was designed to strengthen communication between the commission and the media ahead of the elections.

    He said one of the objectives was to rebuild institutional trust through open dialogue between INEC and media gatekeepers.

    Oketola said another objective was to tackle information disorder by developing a system that would allow newsrooms to quickly verify electoral information with the commission.

    He said INEC was seeking “seamless 24-hour fact-verification loops between newsrooms and INEC so that speed would not come at the expense of accuracy.”

    He added that the initiative would also promote shared responsibility among the media, civil society and electoral institutions through ethical reporting, conflict-sensitive journalism and civic education.

    ‘Verify Before You Amplify’

    The Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society, Dr Akin Akingbulu, said the country was approaching a critical period in its democratic development as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

    Akingbulu noted that electoral information was already influencing public discussions across traditional and digital media platforms.

    He urged editors to take seriously their responsibility as gatekeepers of electoral information, particularly amid the growing use of artificial intelligence and the spread of manipulated content.

    He stressed the need for journalists to authenticate information before publication and urged newsrooms to be cautious about deepfakes and unofficial election results.

    “Verification is a two-way street,” Akingbulu said, adding, “Verify before you amplify.”

    NGE Calls For Balanced Election Coverage

    The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, described the workshop as timely as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.

    Anaba said credible elections depended not only on citizens casting their ballots but also on their confidence that their votes would be properly counted and that electoral institutions would operate fairly.

    He urged editors and journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and the public interest in their coverage of the elections.

    The NGE president also called for stronger access to credible and timely information from INEC to enable the media to effectively inform voters throughout the electoral process.

  • NITDA Cautions Nigerians Against Sharing NIN, BVN With AI Tools

    The National Information Technology Development Agency has warned Nigerians against sharing sensitive personal information, including identification numbers, bank details, photographs and medical results, on artificial intelligence platforms.

    NITDA issued the warning in an advisory titled “Advisory on the Safe Use of AI Platforms”, published on its website on Monday.

    The agency said members of the public were increasingly using AI chatbots and assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot and Meta AI for schoolwork, business, job applications, health questions and personal matters.

    According to the advisory, many users share personal information without realising that information entered or uploaded on AI platforms may be stored outside their control.

    NITDA said, “Information entered into an AI platform, may be retained, logged, used to train the provider’s AI models.”

    It warned that personal details shared with AI platforms could be exposed in a data breach and used for identity theft, impersonation or financial fraud.

    The agency also cautioned that AI tools could produce answers that appeared confident but were inaccurate or outdated.

    It said acting on such information in health, legal, financial or academic matters could cause serious harm.

    Anonymise information

    NITDA advised members of the public to remove, anonymise or pseudonymise personally identifiable information and sensitive information before using AI tools.

    The agency also advised users to verify the privacy and data-handling terms of AI platforms before using them.

    It further urged users not to upload internal documents unless specifically authorised.

    NITDA said organisations should implement AI governance or AI transformation policies defining approved tools, permitted use cases, data-handling rules and accountability for AI use.

    It also advised organisations and their employees to follow existing AI, information security and data protection policies.

    NITDA urges users to verify AI answers

    In a related message shared on its X handle, NITDA urged users of AI platforms to be careful about the information they provide.

    The agency said: “You use ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI for work & school? Be careful what you share.”

    It added: “Many share NIN, BVN, bank info, photos & medical results not knowing it may be stored outside your control.”

    NITDA advised users: “Don’t share sensitive data with AI; anonymize your prompts; and always verify AI answers.”

    The agency ended the advisory with the message: “Think Before You Prompt.” Punch

  • NAF Launches Search For Crew After ATR-42 Crash In Ondo

    NAF Launches Search For Crew After ATR-42 Crash In Ondo

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a search and rescue operation following the crash of an ATR-42 aircraft in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

    The aircraft was reportedly on a routine flight from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred on Monday.

    The NAF said its search and rescue teams were working with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies to locate the aircraft and determine the status of those on board.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

    He said the Air Force was committed to supporting the ongoing operation and ensuring that all necessary resources were deployed to the search and rescue effort.

    “Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing,” the statement said.

    The NAF said further information on the incident would be released as the operation progresses.

    The number of people on board and their condition had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.

  • 2027: Anambra Govt Urges APGA Supporters To Reject Obi, NDC

    2027: Anambra Govt Urges APGA Supporters To Reject Obi, NDC

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Anambra State Government has urged supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance to reject Peter Obi and his Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The government made the call in a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, accusing the former Anambra governor of working against APGA since he left the party in 2014.

    The statement, titled “A Betrayal Alert for Ndi APGA,” described support for Obi and the NDC as a threat to APGA’s political strength in the state.

    “A vote for Peter Obi and the NDC is a vote to kill APGA,” the government said.

    It alleged that Obi had been working to undermine the party that produced him as governor after his departure from APGA.

    The government also contrasted Obi’s political position with that of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that Tinubu supported APGA while Obi backed efforts against the party.

    “Do not be deceived by a man who abandoned his own house. Anambra is APGA. Ndi APGA, defend your home. Resist the NDC,” the statement added.

    Obi governed Anambra from 2006 to 2014 after emerging as the APGA candidate. He left the party in October 2014 and joined the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He later moved to the Labour Party in 2022 and contested the 2023 presidential election, finishing third behind Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

    Obi left the Labour Party in December 2025 and joined the African Democratic Congress before subsequently aligning with the NDC ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

    The latest exchange comes amid an increasingly heated political relationship between Obi and the administration of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.

    The two sides have also been engaged in a dispute over financial obligations linked to projects implemented during Obi’s tenure as governor.

    The state government said in September that Obi’s administration was associated with external financing valued at $123.77 million, with $92.35 million reportedly outstanding as of June 30, 2026, citing figures from the Debt Management Office.

    Obi rejected the characterisation of the facilities as loans he personally obtained for the state, saying he neither borrowed from financial institutions nor issued bonds on behalf of Anambra during his tenure.

    The state government has also challenged Obi’s claim that his administration left N2.1 billion in ecological funds, saying it could not establish that the money was held in the account and bank identified by the former governor.

    The political dispute is unfolding as parties and political groups begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with APGA remaining the governing party in Anambra and Obi seeking the presidency on the NDC platform.

  • Breaking: Helicopter Crashes in Ondo, Many Feared Dead

    Breaking: Many feared dead as helicopter crashes in Ondo

    Many people were feared dead after a helicopter reportedly crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday.

    Vanguard gathered that the incident, which occurred in the coastal community, sparked panic among residents, although details of the crash remained sketchy as of press time.

    The identity of the helicopter and the number of people on board could not be immediately ascertained.

    Relevant agencies contacted for confirmation pleaded for time to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

    A community leader, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the crash but said residents were yet to establish the exact location and other details.

    According to him, “Yes, it is true. A helicopter crashed at Igbokoda, Ondo State, but we don’t know the exact place and other details.”

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said he was not aware of the incident when contacted.

    Abayomi, however, said he would get back to journalists after conducting further checks.

    As of press time, there was no official confirmation of the reported casualties or details of the aircraft involved. Vanguard

  • Army, DSS, Amotekun Kill ISWAP Commander In Ondo Forest

    Army, DSS, Amotekun Kill ISWAP Commander In Ondo Forest

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    A joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, has killed a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province in Ondo State.

    The terrorist leader, identified as Abdussamad Ohida, also known as Anwar, was reportedly eliminated during an intelligence-led operation in a forest in Owo at the weekend.

    Security sources said the operation targeted an ISWAP hideout following intelligence on plans by the group to carry out attacks in parts of southern Nigeria.

    Ohida was reportedly killed alongside several other members of the terrorist group after security operatives launched a surprise assault on the camp.

    Sources said Ohida previously served as deputy to the ISWAP Central Nigeria commander, Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais, who was arrested by the DSS in 2023.

    Following Ikrimah’s arrest, Ohida allegedly took over the coordination of ISWAP activities across parts of the North-Central and southern regions.

    According to the sources, intelligence obtained during the interrogation of Ikrimah helped security agencies uncover Ohida’s alleged plans to launch attacks during the forthcoming Yuletide period.

    The sources further claimed that the planned attacks were intended to target civilians and disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections.

    The intelligence was reportedly corroborated by international partners, including the United Kingdom, before the operation was carried out.

    Ohida was also accused of involvement in several attacks on security formations in the country.

    One of the sources alleged that he planned and executed the December 31, 2025 attack on Ipele Divisional Police Station in Owo, where eight AK-47 rifles were reportedly taken before the facility was destroyed with an explosive.

    He was also linked to the July 28, 2022 attack on a military checkpoint along the Suleja-Zuba Road in Niger State, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of soldiers, security personnel and civilians.

    The sources further attributed the July 11, 2022 attack on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja and attacks on police formations in Kogi State to the deceased ISWAP commander.

    These included the April 23, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station in Adavi Local Government Area, where five police officers were reportedly killed, and the February 7, 2022 attack on the Okene Area Command.

    Ohida was also accused of planning and executing the December 24, 2020 attack on a naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of two naval officers.

    A security source described the operation as a significant setback to ISWAP’s leadership and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.

    The source said Ohida’s death, coming months after the reported killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki, could further disrupt the terrorist group’s efforts to expand its operational network in Nigeria.

    The operation highlights the increasing cooperation among security agencies in intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism operations across different parts of the country.

  • Atiku Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Prospective Corps Members

    Atiku Demands Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Prospective Corps Members

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government, Imo State Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in the state.

    Atiku made the call on Monday in a post on X, describing the abduction as “heartbreaking” and urging authorities to ensure that all those still in captivity return home safely.

    The incident occurred on Thursday, October 1, when gunmen attacked two commercial buses carrying prospective corps members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in the Umunoha area of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when the attackers struck at about 6:30am.

    According to Atiku, some of the abducted travellers had been rescued, while others remained in captivity.

    “The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity,” he said.

    “I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely.”

    The Imo State Police Command initially reported that 10 passengers had been rescued and the two buses recovered, while other passengers were still missing. However, accounts from families later indicated that 20 prospective corps members were among those being held by the abductors.

    Security agencies have since intensified efforts to locate and rescue the victims.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, alongside two commissioners of police, to coordinate the operation.

    The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, also disclosed that security operatives had traced the suspected kidnappers to a bush hideout through intelligence gathering and drone surveillance.

    The planned assault on the hideout was reportedly delayed after intelligence indicated that the area had been fitted with improvised explosive devices. Security agencies are expected to deploy specialised equipment to safely access the location.

    Atiku also raised concerns over the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State.

    He said more than 70 pupils and students abducted from the two communities remained in captivity, adding that their families deserved regular updates on efforts to secure their release.

    The Mussa incident occurred on May 15 when suspected insurgents attacked schools in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area and abducted dozens of children. The number of missing pupils has varied, with the Borno State Government previously putting the figure at about 44.

    On June 29, suspected insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa while students were taking their National Examinations Council examinations. Ten students were rescued during an immediate military operation, while subsequent reports indicated that 36 students and a teacher remained in captivity.

    By late September, the Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria was calling for the rescue of 78 schoolchildren from Mussa and Lassa who had spent more than 100 days in captivity.

    Families and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger government action to secure the release of the children.

    Atiku also criticised the security record of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that Nigerians remained vulnerable to attacks on roads, in communities and around schools despite previous assurances that funds saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy would strengthen national security.

    He said the insecurity affecting young Nigerians extended from attacks on students to the abduction of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps.

    The ADC presidential candidate also questioned the award of pipeline security contracts to companies he described as politically connected, arguing that the government’s primary responsibility should be the protection of lives and property.

  • INEC To Brief Nigerians As 2027 Elections Enter Final 100 Days

    INEC To Brief Nigerians As 2027 Elections Enter Final 100 Days

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission will on Tuesday hold a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders’ Meeting to update Nigerians on its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

    The engagement, scheduled for October 6 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, will come as the commission marks the 100-day milestone to the first ballot of the 2027 elections.

    INEC said its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, would address the gathering alongside other stakeholders involved in the electoral process.

    The commission is expected to provide updates on the voters’ register, candidate nominations, logistics and measures being implemented to protect the integrity of the elections.

    INEC said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen transparency, public communication and collaboration with institutions and groups involved in the electoral process.

    Political party leaders, security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, civil society organisations and election observer groups are expected at the event.

    Also expected are disability rights advocates, religious and traditional leaders, youth organisations and media executives.

    The meeting comes as INEC moves into a critical stage of preparations for the elections, with the commission expected to address administrative, logistical and other operational issues ahead of polling.

    INEC’s official timetable lists February 20, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

    The electoral body has also continued preparations around voter services and other election-related processes, with its official platform providing information on voter registration, polling units and other services.

    The Tuesday event is scheduled to begin at 10am, with attendance at the venue restricted to invited participants.

    INEC said the proceedings would be broadcast live on major national television networks and streamed through its official social media platforms to allow Nigerians who are unable to attend to follow the discussions.

    Accredited journalists and invited guests will be required to present their invitation cards or accreditation badges at security checkpoints, the commission said.

  • Tinubu: New Army Formations To Strengthen Response To Insecurity

    Tinubu: New Army Formations To Strengthen Response To Insecurity

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    President Bola Tinubu has said the operationalisation of new Nigerian Army formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun states will strengthen the military’s ability to respond to security threats and protect vulnerable communities.

    Tinubu disclosed this in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday, as he highlighted measures by his administration to improve the operational capacity and welfare of the Armed Forces.

    According to the President, positioning the new formations closer to communities would enable troops to respond more quickly when residents come under attack.

    The development is part of a broader restructuring of the Nigerian Army. In July, Tinubu approved the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel and the acquisition of military equipment to strengthen national security operations.

    Under the new structure, the Army has reorganised its areas of responsibility, with the 2 Division in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, while the 8 Division in Sokoto is responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

    Tinubu said the Federal Government was also accelerating the construction of new military barracks and depots in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi states, while the project in Osun State had been completed.

    He said the infrastructure projects were necessary to improve the working and living conditions of military personnel and their families.

    “As we demand more from our men and women in uniform, we must do more to support them and their families,” the President said.

    Tinubu also pointed to the recent increase in military personnel’s salaries, saying feedback from servicemen and women indicated that the adjustment was improving their welfare.

    The President stressed that military service affects not only personnel but also their families, particularly when troops are deployed away from home.

    “Every deployment is a sacrifice made by a family too,” he said.

    Tinubu added that, as Commander-in-Chief, he had a responsibility to ensure that members of the Armed Forces had the resources and support required to perform their duties.

    The expansion of the Army’s structure comes amid continued security challenges in different parts of the country, including banditry, kidnapping and attacks on communities.

    The Presidency had said the creation of the additional divisions was intended to enable the military to respond more rapidly to insecurity wherever it occurs.

    The Army has also adopted a phased approach to operationalising the new structure, with newly established divisions expected to progressively attain initial and full operational capability.

  • National Sports Festival: Mbah Inspects Facilities, Reassures of World-class, Memorable Games

    National Sports Festival: Mbah Inspects Facilities, Reassures of World-class, Memorable Games

    Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, says his administration is committed to delivering a world-class and memorable 23rd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “Coal City Games.”

    Mbah also assured of the readiness of all the facilities ahead of the Games slated for 27th November to 11th December 2026.

    The Governor spoke at the weekend during a tour of Awgu Games Village, one of the venues slated for the NSF, for a firsthand assessment of the quality and speed of work at the site, stressing that the Awgu Games Village, which had long been abandoned, would emerge as a world-standard sports facility in less than two months.

    “Recall the commitment we made as a government that we are going to make the 23rd National Sports Festival one of the most memorable festivals in the history of the event.

    “So, the construction of a one-thousand-capacity-bed hostel is ongoing. We also have the construction of outdoor and indoor courts ongoing.

    “A standard FIFA pitch is also under construction. We equally have an eight-lane track, and these are all world-class.

    “I have to come because we have a very tight timeline and this project must be ready. It means that in less than two months, this place will no longer be a construction site. It will become a world-class Games Village. In less than two months, what you will have here is a proper venue that will be hosting contingents from across the country,” he said.

    Mbah, however, added that his administration was not just building for the NSF, noting that the massive development of sports facilities was in line with his campaign promise to make Enugu State the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living.

    He said the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was already being upgraded into a FIFA-standard stadium, describing sports as not just recreation and a veritable tool for social cohesion, but also big business if well harnessed.

    “As you also know, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium is receiving serious attention. We are upgrading it to a world-class standard.

    “These facilities will be ready. I have personally committed to the team from the National Sports Commission, who came on a monitoring visit, that we are not interested in shifting the date. The dates are already fixed for the 23rd National Sports Festival.

    “We are carrying out a comprehensive reconstruction and transformation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. We are installing a new FIFA-standard football pitch and a new athletics track. We are rehabilitating and reinstalling the spectator seats, replacing damaged ones, and constructing a new roofing and canopy system to cover the entire spectator stands.

    “We are upgrading the VIP and VVIP stands, the players’ changing rooms and other associated facilities. We are upgrading the stadium gates and access-control system to an electronic system, installing two new LCD scoreboards, perimeter LED display boards and protective perimeter mesh fencing around the main bowl. The floodlighting system and other electrical and mechanical services are also being upgraded.

    “We are also cladding the external areas of the stadium to give the entire complex a new, modern architectural appearance and aesthetic ambience. There are extensive finishing works, external works, landscaping and improvements to the access and general environment of the stadium.

    “Beyond the main stadium bowl, we are building a new Olympic-size swimming pool with its associated facilities. We are transforming the Indoor Sports Hall and constructing and upgrading indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, including volleyball, basketball, squash and other sports, together with their pavilions and supporting facilities.

    “So, what we are doing is not simply renovating a football stadium. We are transforming the entire Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium complex into a modern, world-class multi-sport facility.

    “Therefore, for us, it is not just about the efficiency of organising the festival. We are equally interested in the Enugu experience of the athletes. We are interested in their accommodation, their logistics and their overall experience, and we are putting everything in place to make this festival a truly memorable event for the contingents, officials and everyone involved in the management of the Games.”

    In Mbah’s company during the tour were the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Osita Okoh; Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof. Benedett Okoli; Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, Arch. Uche Nwatu; and Chairman of Awgu Local Government Council, Hon. Uchenna Okolo.

    The host Council Chairman, Okolo, commended Mbah for bringing life back to Awgu Games Village, noting that the transformation of the Games Village would speed up the
    development of the local government and the state in general.