The rehabilitation of Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia is moving into its concluding phase, with Rivers State Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary Comrade Emmanuel Ndah (JP) praising both the speed and the standard of delivery from contractor Monimichelle Sports Construction Limited.
The overhaul, sanctioned by the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, forms part of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s wider effort to restore sporting facilities across the state after the venue had been left in a long period of neglect.
Ndah said the governor personally stepped in to accelerate the process, directing him to engage Monimichelle directly before any financial approvals were released. In Ndah’s account, Fubara asked him to bring the contractor forward, after which discussions were held and the necessary funding was then signed off to kick-start the renovation. “The Governor invited me to his office and asked me to invite Monimichelle, the contractor handling the stadium renovation,” Ndah said. “So, I called him and he came. I took him to the Governor. The Governor saw him, discussed with him. At the end of the day, the Governor was able to sign that bill. The Governor was able to give him that money, he started renovation.”
Renovation works are being coordinated by Ebi Egbe, a FIFA-licensed match agent and stadium construction specialist. Among the upgrades already underway are a strengthened pitch foundation with sub-surface drainage, an integrated water sprinkler setup, and hybrid synthetic turf. The project also includes an asphalted base for an eight-lane polyurethane running track, alongside improvements aimed at meeting modern event requirements. These additions feature a VAR control room, floodlights built to broadcast standards, designated mix zones, and media galleries. Hospitality areas are also being expanded with VIP and VVIP wings, while the stadium is set to include dedicated doping control facilities, physio and medical centres, and separate changing rooms for coaches and match officials.
Ndah insisted the quality of the renovation is visible at the site. “If you go there now, in fact, the story is a story that will tell itself by itself,” he said. “The Governor of Rivers State approved money for that project, and as a matter of fact, Monimichelle has done a very good job.”
