The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Ebonyi State chapter has urged Governor Francis Nwifuru to utilize his administration's wisdom and power to ensure the speedy completion of the state Olympic Stadium, located at Ochudo Centenary City Abakaliki.
Recall that the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, now Minister of Works, David Umahi-led administration conceived and began the construction of the multi-billion Naira Olympic Stadium but it has not been completed up to date.
Briefing pressmen at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Abakaliki on the activities of the 2025 Ebonyi SWAN Week which kicked off on Monday, the State Chairman of the Association, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha said that he led the sports writers and partners to visit the stadium but they were not comfortable with how the project was allegedly abandoned.
He called for the review of the contract of the Stadium, to ensure the project would be completed as a conceived Olympic Stadium without much delay or completely abandoned.
"This morning, SWAN members in the kick-off of a 7-day program tour saw the rapid development ongoing in the football pitch of Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki. Also, we visited the ultra-modern Olympic Stadium where we believe the attention of the state governor is highly needed.
"We, therefore, call on Ebonyi state Governor, RT Hon Builder Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to review the contract of the Olympics stadium to complete the multi-billion Naira project.
"Also, we seek his attention to create a space anywhere in the urban for more sporting activities," he requested.
Nwogha commended Governor Nwifuru for floating of Abakaliki Football Club and described the decision as a dream come true for all Ebonyians.
He said that the floating of the football club has significantly reflected in the high decrease of social vices in Ebonyi and made the state the most peaceful in South Eastern Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that in no distance time, Ebonyi would begin to raise the likes of Victor Osihmen, Kanu Nwankwo, and Jay Jay Okocha in footballing, calling the state government to give the same interest in other sporting areas such as basketball, swimming, badminton and among others.
He appreciated Nwifuru's commitment towards the improvement of sports in Ebonyi alongside the state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Prince Richard Ugo-Idike while calling on stakeholders to continue showing their support to ensure that the vision of the governor as captured in the campaign manifesto anchored on the People's Charter Need becomes a success
The SWAN Chairman equally called on investors to take advantage of the friendly policies and programmes of the Nwifuru's government to invest in Ebonyi commending those who had shown such commitment to continue supporting their various teams to ensure that passionate sports lovers pursue their careers in sports in the state and beyond.
Also speaking, the member representing Abakaliki North constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Dr Victor Nwoke commended Governor Nwifuru for creating an enabling environment for youth and sports activities to thrive in the state.
Nwoke, who is the Chairman House Committee on Youth Development and Sports recalled that sports before the emergence of Nwifuru as governor, had gone moribund in the state. He encouraged the SAWN members in the state to sustain the innovation, creativity and expertise in sports journalism, by targeting overall ways to harvest, harness and develop talents.
He encouraged all and sundry to be active participants in sports activities while enumerating its benefits cutting across health, social, and economic among others.
The Chairman of the SWAN Week Central Planning Committee, Comrade Israel Mbam announced that the event was packaged to officially confer on Governor Nwifuru as the Grand Patron of the Association and equally to unveil Sports Ambassadors in the state.
