Former Lagos State governor, Senate President, to attend World Cup game in Uyo; Police Command assures adequate security

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, will represent President Muhammadu Buhari at Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s spokesman made the reports to newsmen that Fashola would fly into Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

He noted that Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State, frequently hosted the grand finale of the Federation Cup (now AITEO Cup) competition and was a notable football enthusiast.

The NFF spokesman said other top officials had also confirmed that the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung would be in attendance.

Nigeria is three points ahead of second-placed Zambia going into the penultimate day of the African qualifiers.

The Super Eagles require only the minimum win against the Chipolopolo on Saturday to join 10 other nations that have already qualified for the 32-team football showpiece in Russia in 2018.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has said that it has put in place adequate security arrangement, to ensure hitch free World Cup qualifier match between Nigeria and Zambia scheduled to hold on the Saturday, October 7, 2017 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The Commissioner of Police ,Akwa Ibom State, CP Zubairu Muazu, according to a statement by DSP Bala Elkana, the Police Public Relations Officer,  Akwa Ibom State Command,  is determined to guarantee that soccer loving Nigerians enjoy the football match under a peaceful atmosphere devoid of any infractions of law and has directed the deployment of specially selected officers knowledgeable in crowd control and Policing events to provide top-notch security before, during and after the football match.

In addition, the statement said, due to influx of soccer fans into the state, adequate crime reduction strategies have been emplaced to check crime and criminalities, throughout the state. It is also in addition to existing anti-crime measures in the state.

“The CP enjoins all soccer fans visiting the ‘Nest of Champions’ to conduct themselves in a most orderly and hospitable manner. Sports is a veritable means to promote unity, solidarity and cultivate enduring friendship,” it stressed.

“The Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in sports administration, is working assiduously to facilitate adequate sports security in accordance with international standards.

“However, the Command will not hesitate to deal decisively with miscreants and sports hooligans who may take undue advantage of the peace and security existing in Akwa Ibom State,” the Commands statement concluded.