BY BOLAJI AFOLABI 

Sports, football in particular is almost a religion across many nations. The humongous economic and financial importance of football; through multi-dollar investments, endorsements, and other commercial activities has seen rapid increase, and interests of the vast majority of people in the “beautiful game.” This is not forgetting the open-ended social, cultural, and diplomatic benefits. A recent report by an international media platform revealed that, football, in some countries contributes a sizable percentage of employment opportunities to different classifications of people. The chain effect of employment in the sector cuts across sex, age, and other considerations. Every properly structured club has full compliments of workers drawn from different professions.

Experts in varied fields of medicine; psychologists; dieticians; the media; environmentalists; groundsmen; and many others are recruited by clubs. These, and other factors have made football the darling of many people around the world. 

Nigeria is no exception. Agreed, the management of our football is still tottering, largely due to the calibre and quality of the administrators, but football has become the “main menu” amongst the vast majority of people. On a regular basis, the huge numbers that converge on homes, leisure spots, relaxation joints, and events centres to watch matches are breathtaking. With the crowded football calendar that includes UEFA champions league; Europa league; UEFA conference league; and the respective leagues in England, Spain, Italy, and other nations in Europe, and across the world,  people congregate at various locations almost, as a ritual to savour the skills, tackles, and numerous theatrics associated with the game. Of particular mention is the rising patronage of women to the growing population of football followers. On match days, at centres, in groups, on the streets, on the air waves, and other platforms, the brilliance, understanding, and knowledge exhibited by women are usually outstanding. 

From observation, the number of enthusiasts who besiege viewing centres are more. Indeed, there has been an upsurge in recent years. This fast-growing trend can be explained. With the rising incidents of betting, many youths and some adults, stay glued to the giant television sets at centres to monitor matches, hoping to “hit jackpots.” By the way, it is expected that the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), and other relevant MDAs will take necessary steps towards addressing the implications of youths involvement in betting, and some other negative vices. For some others, it is a necessary escape route; even if momentary from the thoughts of hunger, hardship, and harrowing conditions they are passing through. A few others throng viewing centres to run away from the realities of pervading poverty and  pressures from their households. Some other patrons, who may not necessarily be ardent lovers of football, described the viewing centres as veritable platforms for discussions on topical issues, and networking opportunities.

Events that unfolded on Saturday, September 28, 2024 confirmed the latter categorization. The writer was in the company of a few friends, and others who were regular patrons of a viewing centre in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja; that has virtually become the commercial and economic hub of the city centre. After watching a few “matchday 6” rounds of matches involving Wolves versus Liverpool; Chelsea and Bright & Holve Albion; Arsenal versus Leicester; and Everton vs Crystal Palace, it was time for gists, debates, information, and  updates. Taking turns to analyse the staggering hyperinflation and its attendant accentuating hardship, and corrosive poverty among people, it was agreed that there should be a human face to every economic policy by the government. Typical of doctors who do ward rounds on in-patients in hospitals, the group mirrored activities of major MDAs; giving kudos and knocks as may be necessary. 

As the early night-moons were descending, signalling the end of a fruitful relaxation day, a member who will prefer anonymity, spoke about the number of bilateral relations between Chinese firms and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) for infrastructure development. As expected, this triggered hours of back and forth by every member of the group. Many, angered by the negative outcomes of similar initiatives by a former influential  Minister; in a different Ministry, and Heads of some agencies under the Buhari administration, wondered why the present leadership of the FCTA would follow the same route. Described as a wild goose chase, it was predicted that, like others before it, nothing positive will emerge from the pact. 

The group engaged in further condemnation of the FCTA’s decision in  exploring similar initiatives, which allegedly became conduits for fleecing our commonwealth by some very senior officials in the past administration. Though there was consensus that given the glaring infrastructure deficits in the FCTA, largely due to lack of political will and  exposure by previous administrations, the capital city deserves urgent and decisive actions but the Chinese option did not bode well with members of the group. However, comments made by an elderly man; who confessed to have eavesdropped on our discussions sort of became healing balm for us all. He said, “young men, listening to all your thoughts, and views gives me encouragement that Nigeria will be great again. You have all shown passion for, and commitment towards the development of the capital city. Look at the cup half full and not half empty. What are the immediate challenges of the FCTA? Are the Minister’s initiatives targeted at resolving these issues?”

Indeed, there are empirical studies that confirmed that the capital city is in dire need of infrastructural development. Many residents are unanimous about the glaring decay, and deficits that pervades facilities in the city. Angered about these deplorable conditions, many residents have concluded that the situation may become worse if urgent steps are not taken. Following almost a decade of non-activity and non-ingenious actions by previous administration, the  capital city (and satellite areas) were dotted with the dearth of infrastructures. From roads to water, lighting, education, and health, the vagaries of glot and gloom were evidently visible for every dispassionate person to see, and experience. Residents, and visitors were wondering when these development challenges would be addressed, for Abuja to emerge as Africa’s “events capital.”

Perhaps, realizing the imperatives of infrastructure as a catalyst towards ensuring multi-sectoral development of Abuja, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the FCTA Minister sometime in September 2024, entered agreements with some Chinese companies. The Memorandum of Association, (MOU) was  signed in Beijing, China by Wike (for the FCTA), and Chen Si Chang and Lan Meizhong (for the China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation, CCECC, and China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction, CGCOC), on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, (FOCAC), which was held at the asian giant nation. 

According to reports, these and other MOUs were for roads, water, power, health, education, and a few other critical sectors. It is instructive to note that, one year into bilateral relations, appreciable strides have been achieved. The CGCOC, for instance completed the Greater Abuja Water Works project in record time. The project, as the “main artery” of the water supply system has tripled the city’s daily capacity to over 700,000 cubic meters from the former 240,000. Impressed by the company’s performances, the FCTA signed an agreement with the Chinese Geo-Engineering Corporation Nigeria; a subsidiary of the CGCOC for improved water supply to Kubwa, Bwari, and Karu, Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada satellite towns.  

The CCECC, and CGCOC have completed solar powered electrification of some streets in Asokoro, Guzape, Central Business District, Wuse, Garki, Mabushi, and Katampe. Others are Gwarimpa, Life Camp, Kado, Jabi, and Jahi. In its resolve to improve on the provision of power to residents amidst serial cases of theft, defacing, and destruction of panels, poles, and other materials, Minister Wike launched the “Light Up Abuja” initiative, a few days back. Also, the China Engineering & Machinery Corporation, (CMEC) is providing support towards the development of a Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant. The FCTA and Hunan Province, China collaboration has yielded positive impacts in the education sector. Companies including the  China Road & Bridge Corporation, (CRBC) are strengthening cooperation in education towards facilitating infrastructural development. The firms are upgrading facilities, and providing learning facilities in some FCTA schools within the city-centre, and satellite towns, as proof of the successes of the MOUs.

Somehow, the overwhelming successes of the FCTA/China collaboration are evidently obvious, and unmistakably visible in roads infrastructure. Confident that the completion of long-abandoned roads will not only open-up many areas, but increase economic activities, and improve security of lives and properties, Wike ensured that contractors (which includes Chinese companies) went back to site. This courageous decision proved instructive, as many roads were completed. The Abuja South Outer Ring Road Phase 2 project constructed by the China Land Overseas Nigeria, (CLON) which covers the exit point of the capital city to neighbouring Nasarawa State, and many others, are successful fallouts of the collaboration.

No doubt, the laudable performances of these companies can be described as fidelity to the MOUs signed with the FCTA. More importantly, the dynamic drive, iron-cast resolve, and commitment of Wike and his team  towards ensuring the infrastructure make-over of the capital city is the necessary impetus that has made these changes reality. It is encouraging that satellite towns are also  factored as beneficiaries of timely delivery of projects by the companies. As it is,  many residents of Abuja; including critics of Wike acknowledge the strings of impactful projects completed or on-going. As expected, residents of Abuja still desire more of these projects.  Aware of this, Wike, at the flag-off of a few more road projects, this week promised to include health, education, and other sectors in the next round of infrastructure programmes.

* BOLAJI AFOLABI; a Development Communications specialist was with the Office of Public Affairs, The Presidency, Abuja.