The once-prized Jolly Nyame Stadium, a multimillion-naira sports facility in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, has fallen into disrepair and is now overrun by cows due to government neglect.
The 30,000-capacity stadium, previously rated as the best in the North East geopolitical zone, has become an eyesore despite promises from the current administration to restore it.
The state government had pledged to revive the disbanded male and female football teams to ensure the stadium remained in good condition, but as observed by The Guardian, the opposite has occurred.
At the time of this report, herds of cows roamed freely within the stadium, underscoring the extent of its abandonment.
The pitch, along with other facilities, is in a state of severe deterioration, desperately in need of attention.
Sports enthusiasts and concerned citizens have expressed disappointment over Governor Agbu Kefas’ apparent lack of interest in sports development, despite campaign assurances to support youth engagement in athletics.
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They pointed to neighboring Adamawa State, where Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has been making significant investments in sports infrastructure. In contrast, they lamented that Taraba State has failed to follow suit.
Some senior government officials who spoke with The Guardian also expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the stadium.
Former President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawo, previously urged Governor Kefas to prioritise sports development, emphasising that revamping the stadium could create jobs and uplift the state’s image.
He advised that appointing a competent commissioner for sports would be a crucial first step toward achieving this goal.
When contacted for comments, Taraba State Commissioner for Sports, Joseph Joshua, assured that efforts were being made to restore the stadium.
He confirmed that he had submitted a memo to the governor regarding the matter but could not explain why cattle had been allowed to graze inside the facility.
As the stadium continues to deteriorate, sports lovers and stakeholders are calling on the state government to take swift action to rehabilitate the facility and fulfill its promises to the people of Taraba.
