An imposing new Governor’s Office built under one year by the Government of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, will be commissioned today by President Goodluck Jonathan during his one-day official visit to the state. The Nigerian leader will also perform the ground-breaking ceremony of an International Stadium in the state.

Governor Godswill Akpabio disclosed this while answering questions from Government House correspondents at Government House, Uyo, after his return from an official trip to an International Telecommunications Union meeting in Dubai.

Governor Akpabio (shown in photo) described the new Governor’s Office as “part of the uncommon transformation agenda in the state,” explaining, however, that “the office was an old structure, even before my administration.”
“There was need for a massive renovation and expansion of the structure of the state, which is a call point for visitors and investors. Therefore, the Governor's office is an ICT compliant, reflecting the personality of an Akwa Ibom child, which is a massive infrastructural turn around in the last six years,” Akpabio told newsmen Thursday.

Describing the new Governor’s Office, Aniekan Umanah, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information, said it is “an architectural master piece, consists of conference room, lounge, multi-media studio, a press room and an Executive Council chambers with video conferencing facilities, among others.”
On the stadium, Umanah disclosed that, “among other features, it comprises classic multi-purpose layout with running tracks; 2-tiered seating arrangement excellent viewing conditions; arena with football pitch and 8-lane 400m standard track, including complete athletic facilities in the segment of the field.
“Also, the access and exit system of the stadium complies with international safety requirements, as it provides emergency routes and allows an evacuation time of less than eight minutes. It will on completion, be equipped with three video boards under the roof.”

Throwing more light on the project, Governor Akpabio said that the stadium “would be of an international standard with a VIP section, banquet hall, etc, which is going to lead to revenue generating and be a part of the future of the country.”
News Express reports that today’s visit to Akwa Ibom is the second by President Jonathan in four months. During his last visit in June, the President also commissioned some important projects executed by the Akpabio administration.