By Dorcas Francis Koji
The National Sports Commission has taken over the abandoned Ugborodo mini stadium project in Delta State and pledged to complete the facility, which is expected to be named after Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko disclosed the development while attending the fifth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. Dikko also participated in a novelty football match involving former internationals and other prominent figures in Nigerian sports.
According to Dikko, the Federal Government, through the NSC, has adopted the project after its earlier development under the FIFA Forward programme stalled.
“The National Sports Commission, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, has adopted the Ugborodo mini stadium, which was being done by FIFA before,” Dikko said.
He added that the commission was determined to complete the facility as part of its broader plan to develop sports infrastructure across the country.
“We want to complete it because we are developing the same thing across the country. After completing it, it is going to be named after our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” he added.
The Ugborodo facility is one of two mini stadium projects developed under FIFA’s Forward 2.0 Programme, which supports football development among FIFA member associations. The other facility is located in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, and has reportedly been operational for about two years.
Both projects are estimated to be worth approximately $1.2m each. While the Birnin Kebbi facility has been completed and put to use, the Ugborodo project has remained abandoned for a similar period.
The Ugborodo project had previously generated controversy after the Nigeria Football Federation terminated the contract of its handler, Ebi Egbe, over delays in returning to the construction site after receiving an advance payment of about $500,000.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, had explained that the contractor failed to resume work within the stipulated period.
Egbe subsequently challenged the termination in court while maintaining that substantial work had already been carried out at the site. He also claimed that the project could be completed with the remaining $700,000 balance.
Following the termination of the contract, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the project had not been re-awarded to another contractor and indicated that the National Sports Commission would take responsibility for completing the facility.
With the NSC now formally adopting the project, attention will turn to the completion timeline and the eventual opening of the Ugborodo mini stadium for sporting activities and community development.
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