3 hours ago
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Benue state Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, is facing criticism for his alleged lack of involvement in the ongoing renovation of the Aper Aku stadium in Makurdi.
However, in response, the Commissioner debunked the allegations that he is not involving himself in the ongoing renovation of the stadium.
Ikyange described the allegations as “cheap blackmail,” stating that he has visited the stadium multiple times to monitor progress, sometimes alone and sometimes with state officials and interested groups.
The commissioner expressed concerns about the delay in completing the stadium’s renovation, which he believes was partly responsible for Lobi Stars FC ‘s poor performance in the league.
He attributed the delay to the contractor’s failure to fulfill their obligations, emphasising that his role is to monitor progress, not to execute the contract.
Ikyange’s response comes after some stakeholders and sports enthusiasts expressed disappointment over his alleged absence from the project.
According to the stakeholders who pleaded to remain anonymous, the renovation aims to upgrade the stadium to international standards, and Ikyange’s active participation was crucial in achieving this goal.
“The renovation aims to upgrade the stadium to meet international standards, but Hon. Ikyange has not been actively monitoring the progress as the principal authority overseeing sports infrastructure in the state.
“The Commissioner for Works recently also dispatched a delegation to assess the progress of ongoing projects, setting a precedent for inter-departmental collaboration and commitment.
“The modernisation of Aper Aku Stadium is expected to serve as a catalyst for sports development in Benue State, providing a platform for local talent and attracting national and international competitions.
“The active participation of the Sports Commissioner is therefore indispensable in realising these objectives and fulfilling the state’s sports potential,” he said.
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