Covering the Super Eagles is one of the major delights of a sports journalist. It comes with both sides of the coin—sometimes, even more. The good, the bad, and the ugly, as they say.
It’s not my first time zig-zagging through the senior national team players, hunting for stories. It’s not the second, nor third, not even the 10th time. I cannot even recall how many times I’ve been entrusted with this responsibility since my journalism career began over forty years ago, both at the domestic and international level.
But covering the Super Eagles’ build-up towards the crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on 11 October 2024, felt different. Yes, there were huge differences.
Also Read: Troost-Ekong Backs Home-Grown Coaches For Super Eagles Job, Hails Eguavoen’s Leadership
Arriving in Uyo on Tuesday, 8 October 2024, I never knew I was going to learn things I had never known before about Uyo and Ikot Ekpene, despite having been here countless times covering the Nigeria League, athletics (Mobil Track & Field, Eket), and the Super Eagles since they began ‘flocking together at the Nest of Champions.’
On that Tuesday evening, after a long and tiring journey from Onitsha, South-East Nigeria, I was immediately struck by a cleaning exercise underway at the beautiful stadium. I was amazed to see workers suspended by cranes, power-washing the magnificent stadium structure. It was remarkable—everything aimed at maintaining the facility’s beauty.
Afterwards, I headed straight to Ikot Ekpene, where the Super Eagles are quartered, and where I came close to seeing what I would call a ‘wonder of the nation.’ Stopping at Sanni Ogun Road, in front of the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, I caught a glimpse of the imposing, impressive and illuminated edifice. Exhausted, I couldn’t do much but look for a place to rest my head for the night.
The media parley with the players at Four Points By Sheraton Ikot Ekpene on Wednesday afternoon gave me the chance to admire the architectural beauty of the hotel, which was commissioned in 2014 by the then Akwa Ibom State Governor, now Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
On Thursday, 10 October, I explored further and, with the help of a local, I discovered that the Four Points By Sheraton Ikot Ekpene is the third Sheraton Hotel in Nigeria, following the ones in Abuja and Lagos.
Also Read – AFCON 2025Q: Eguavoen Backs Boniface To End Goal Drought Against Libya
Interestingly, the Ikot Ekpene Sheraton Hotel is the tallest of the three, with an imposing 12-storey structure. It features an electronic crane on the rooftop, which carries two or three people and rotates around the circular building for regular cleaning.
I also learned that Four Points By Sheraton Ikot Ekpene was built on land that used to house the Ikot Ekpene Prisons, constructed in 1919 by the British Colonial Government of Eastern Nigeria. The prison was demolished by Governor Akpabio in 2012 to make way for the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel project, which was completed and commissioned in 2014.
Governor Akpabio relocated the prison to Abiakpo Edem Idim, where the second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, had initiated a prison project in 1981. The project had been abandoned until Akpabio revived it. Overlooking the Sheraton Hotel is the former premises of the prison wardens, which Akpabio also demolished to establish a park for beautification.
Exploring Ikot Ekpene felt like walking through the streets of Abuja, with its rapid and massive development. The high-grade, nylon-tarred roads and the blend of locals and the Hausa community reflect a serene atmosphere of unity and oneness.
By Sab Osuji in Ikot Ekpene and Uyo
1 Comment
At present, Uyo is definitely the preferred location for SE games.
Very impressed with the stadium and the hotel.
Of course, this will result in increased tourism revenues for the state, as inquisitive observers will want to visit Uyo and see things for themselves.