ABUJA – A five-member delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has commenced inspection of facilities in Nigeria ahead of the country’s hosting of the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly and the annual CAF Awards ceremony.
The delegation arrived in Abuja on Thursday to begin a comprehensive assessment of the venues and supporting infrastructure proposed for the two flagship events.
The inspection follows the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nigeria to host the events after a request by CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, during the Africa Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, two months ago.
Leading the CAF delegation is the Confederation’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr. Christian Emeruwa. Other members include Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport), and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).
The team on Friday inspected facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The itinerary continues on Saturday with visits to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the proposed venue for the CAF Congress, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The CAF Ordinary General Assembly is the Confederation’s biggest annual non-competition event. Nigeria has previously hosted the Congress twice, in 1980 and 2009.
The delegation is expected to travel to Lagos on Sunday to inspect the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, earmarked for the CAF Awards ceremony, as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Eko Hotel & Suites.
The CAF officials are being accompanied throughout the inspection by a Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) team comprising the Director of Media and Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire; Director of Marketing, Mr. Alizor Chuks; Head of Security, Mr. Barnabas Joro; Chief Protocol Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ayanbunmi; and Head of ICT, Mr. Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu.
The inspection is a key step in Nigeria’s preparations to successfully host two of African football’s most prestigious annual events.