The inaugural CAF Safe Stadium Initiative Workshop in Nigeria successfully concluded on Thursday in Abuja, leaving a lasting impact on its participants.
Drawn from diverse sectors, including representatives from all 20 Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, attendees gained valuable knowledge and skills to enhance safety and security within stadium environments.
The workshop’s final day featured a hands-on practical session at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, led by Dr. Christian Emeruwa, Head of CAF Safety and Security.
This session emphasized crowd control and real-world applications of the initiative’s principles.
Dr. Emeruwa lauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their commitment to the workshop’s success, calling it a transformative moment for African football.
“A new dawn is taking place on the continent of Africa in managing safety and security operations,” he said. “It is now your responsibility to carry the torch and make the necessary changes to ensure a safe and secure environment for football in Nigeria.”
He urged participants to start with incremental improvements, particularly in key areas such as competition zones, VIP areas, media sections, and general spectator zones.
“If we do this,” he noted, “we are sure to solve seventy-five percent of our problems and, more importantly, prevent deaths in our stadiums.”
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary of the NFF, expressed gratitude to Dr. Emeruwa and emphasized the importance of polite engagement while implementing the knowledge gained. He charged participants to utilize their new skills with professionalism and closed the workshop on an optimistic note.
Participants received certificates of completion, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward safer football stadiums in Nigeria. This initiative promises to set a benchmark for safety and security in African football.
