Police seeks financial support to complete 1.404 billion naira IGP Sports Secretariat Complex

By Godwin Utuedoye,

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                               From L-R,DCP Aliyu Abubakar presenting a T-Shirt to                                    the Dr. Richard Kofi, Executive Chairman,

DCP Aliyu who said his interest and zeal is to give back to the society what he has benefitted and personally conceiving the idea, took the pains of moving round the country soliciting for funds, materials and logistics and other supports in seeing that the main building structure of a six storey block is completed in due time, visited Delta State with Ughelli North/South Local Government Chairmen and the SA to the Delta State Governor on Youth Matters, High Chief Hon. Oteme Batere as his host recently.

Speaking at the Ughelli South Local Government Secretariat Otu-Jeremi in Delta State where he was welcomed by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Richard Kofi and top management staff of the Council,  DCP Aliyu B. Abubakar, disclosed that when completed, the ground floor of the proposed six storey sport secretariat building and a pent house, will have a 350 capacity male aerobic/gym and children and family recreation.

                                       SA to Delta State Governor on Youths,

The deputy commissioner of police who also doubles as a pilot and architect, stated that the first floor of the building is also a 350 capacity for the female aerobic/gym, while the second floor will accomodate sports shops and gallery/Museum, Hall of fame, clinics, one microfinance police bank and other three banks and supermarkets. He said the third floor will accommodate a 350 capacity conference hall, restaurants/coffee, bar and library.

The fourth floor he said; will be for sports secretariat offices, while the fifth floor has 20 rooms ensuites chalets accomodation with the sixth floor having 15 rooms ensuites chalets accomodation with the pent house accomodating IGP and VIP’s guest chalets, Force Sports Officers accomodation and a roof top restaurant/helipads.

DCP Aliyu while stressing the importance of sport in Nigeria, noted that sport in general, either football, swimming, scrambling etc is a unifying factor which brings people of different culture, ethnic background, tribe or religion together without discrimination or segregation,stating that the Nigeria Police Force has been in the forefront in sports development in the country.

Recalling the past contributions of the force to Nigeria participation  in international sporting events such as West African Games, All African Games, Commonwealth Games, the Olympics and World Cup as well as the just concluded World Police and Fire Games,  the police boss said, the force has produced notable sports men and women that hve made Nigeria proud in the past and such glory must not be allowed to die totally.

Making reference to Thailand during the World Police Game, the Deputy Commissioner of Police noted ; that as small as Thailand, they were able to win about 11 Gold medals while Nigerian Athletes were struggling with bronze medals.

He said when completed, the IGP Sport Secretariate will create about 500,000 jobs for both skilled and unskilled personnel whom he said will be working in the Police Village and will as well developed talents especially in sport.

DCP Aliyu however lamented the dwindling performances of Nigerian Athletes in different events for some years now, a situation he attributed to lack of development, investment and proper coordination of athletes even as he note that the life span of every athletes in active sport performance is not more 5 to 6 years.

He maintained that it is very germane at this point in time to restrategised and apply new methods in repositioning Nigeria back to the winning stream it was known for. This he said, is the rational behind the concept of erecting the wonderful edifice which is first of its kinds in Nigeria.

The police boss further disclosed that the project is neither being sponsored by the Government nor the Police Force but said, it is a public funding project hence he is soliciting for materials and funds support towards the  actualization and realisation of the project. He called for the presence of spirited individual and well meaning Nigerian who believe in sport development to come to the ground breaking ceremony which he said will come up later in the year at the site of the Police Officers Wives International Primary School, Opposite the Louis Edet House, Central Area, Abuja. He said the name of every donor either big or small that contributes towards the project will be written and placed in the hall of fame as a mark of appreciation to their contribution, saying it is a free will donation and it is not be force or compulsory.

He added that the IGP Sport Edifice will also accommodate swimming, changing room while the auxiliary structure phase 11 will accommodate combat sports , Table Tennis, Judo, Karate, Wushu Kungfu, Boxing, Wrestling, Kickboxing archery, dart etc.

The accomplished sport officer of the force while showing clips of some of the buildings which are already at DCP level and others beyond third floor thanked the River State Governor, Nyeson Wike whom he said has promised to build one of the floor as well as Dan Kanu of one million Abacha match who has also contributed immensely to the project.

Responding at their various capacities, those visited appreciated the vision and promised to support the project and as well present at the ground breaking ceremony at Abuja when the time come.

The Ughelli North Local Government Area Executive Chairman, Hon. Godwin Adode who is also a sport enthusiast said, he is overwhelmed by the innovation and the  concept of the sport officer of the force and pledged his total support.

Also, Chief Hon. Oteme Bateren who said he was humbled by the visit, promised to mobilized his friends and meaningful Ughelli sons and daughters to the ground breaking ceremony and as well contribute to the project meaningfully. Dr. Richard Kofi, executive chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, also spoke in the same vein.

DCP Aliyu Abubakar later presented sporting wares to those visited and promised to use judicioussly every money realised to ensure the project is completed in no distant time.