By Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Government has firmly refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that players of the Super Eagles contributed funds toward the renovation of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, describing the reports as false, misleading, and unfounded.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, alongside the Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, stated unequivocally that the state government solely finances and maintains the stadium, dismissing any suggestion of external contributions as baseless.
According to the commissioners, the facility, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s premier sporting venues, remains in excellent condition and continues to meet international standards. They noted that the stadium is currently the only one in the country approved by both the Confederation of African Football and Fédération Internationale de Football Association for international fixtures.
They further disclosed that maintenance of the stadium is handled under a standing contract with Julius Berger Plc, ensuring optimal pitch quality, modern dressing facilities, functional floodlights, and a fully operational electronic scoreboard.
Reinforcing the government’s position, the officials cited recent recognition by Sportsville, which named Akwa Ibom the best state in sports infrastructure, an acknowledgment they described as independent validation of sustained investment in the sector.
Bassey added that the stadium has served as the home ground for the Super Eagles for over a decade without complaints from players or officials, emphasizing that the state consistently provides logistics and welfare support during national team engagements in Uyo.
Reacting to the controversy, Super Eagles Secretary, Enebi Achor, reportedly described the claims as “embarrassing,” noting that players were surprised by the narrative and questioned its source.
The state government warned against the spread of misinformation, urging individuals and media platforms to verify facts before publication. It stressed that the dissemination of false information undermines public trust and may attract legal consequences.
The administration of Umo Eno, the commissioners added, remains committed to advancing sports development through sustained infrastructure investment, talent development initiatives, and the hosting of major sporting events.
Residents and stakeholders were advised to disregard the reports entirely, with the government describing them as a deliberate attempt to discredit its efforts in the sports sector.
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