Jonathan opens Akwa Ibom Stadium

President Good­luck Jonathan who laid the foundation stone of the Akwa Ibom Stadi­um two years ago was on hand to commission the sumptuous arena yester­day. Assisted by two serv­ing presidents of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and Côte d’Ivoire’s Al­assane Drmane Ouat­tara, as well as former President of Ghana, Jer­ry Rawlings, the presi­dent declared the edifice open at quarter past six in the evening (6:15pm).

He paid tributes to Gov­ernor Godswill Akpabio, who executed the project in record time, pointing out governments in the fed­eration sometimes initiated programmes, which they were often unable to finish.
“This has not been the case here. I therefore com­mend the governor for the achievement”. He also pointed out the signifi­cance of Akwa Ibom, be­ing the first state to host three serving presidents at the same time on occa­sion that had nothing to do with a major political or economic meeting. The commissioning preceded the Nigeria versus Ghana football match.
Ghana’s president in his goodwill message, devi­ated to commend the coun­try on how the Ebola virus was contained and showed how Nigeria can achieve a lot if all work together.
President John Dramani Mahama also spoke as the chairman of ECOWAS, remarked that the stadium will not just be a nest for champions of Nigeria, but also that of West Africa, Africa and the world.
He hoped that the arena will breed future Serena Williams, Nemar, Pele and other notable names of the world.