Hanny Henry
Ahmadu Umaru Fintri, the governor of the Adamawa State, has flagged off the construction of an ultramodern international conference and event center as part of his administration’s policy for urban renewal, a project set to redefine the region’s infrastructure and position the state as a hub for business, tourism, and international dialogue.
The contract, valued at ₦18.972 billion, was awarded to Messrs Lubell Nigeria Limited. Once completed, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to serve as a hub for investors, boost internally generated revenue, and create employment opportunities across the state.
The Centre will include a 1,000-seat multipurpose hall, syndicate rooms, a 360-capacity auditorium, a 100-seat seminar room, a pre-function area, restaurants, cafés, kitchen and catering services, retail outlets, a medical support unit, security infrastructure, CCTV operations, and landscaped areas
Speaking at the groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art edifice, the governor disclosed that the idea was conceived under his administration and decided to position the project at the heart of the state, in the state secretariat, for security reasons.
According to him, the Centre, when fully constructed, will boast state-of-the-art facilities, galleries, mini halls, administrative offices, a restaurant, a tea-room, outdoor sitting arrangements, and uninterrupted power supply.
He added that the conference center is not just a structure, it is a symbol of ambition and progress.
Strategically located in the heart of Yola, the capital city, the center is designed to host a wide range of events, including international summits, academic conferences, exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals.
“Most interesting and heart-warming are the economic and commercial benefits which it will attract to the state’s coffers, directly and otherwise.
“Going by the number and calibre of seminal conferences, political confabs, dinners, launches, reviews, graduation parties, workshops, awards and other strategic get-togethers which will be drawn to the Centre at its completion, only the myopic will fail to see where all these will leave the state when the project is completed.
This is besides other socio-economic benefits which will be evident.”
Fintri also noted the advantage of the viability of the Yola International airport, stressing that the Centre will attract patronage across the country and internationally, which will further open up the state for investment and tourism, whose multiplier effect would be manifest in providing jobs for our youths and boosting the states internally generated revenue.
“This Centre will transform the state into a commercial hub and prompt development into the surrounding towns and villages (roads, lock-up stalls and the like). In its own right, the Centre will provide jobs, because there will be a need for on-ground staff who will help to keep it in top shape, he added.
The governor, who expressed confidence in the project, says, beyond every bit of benefit that would be availed by this project is the fact that it represents the government’s bold and strategic effort at building the Adamawa of the future today.
“It is our deliberate attempt at maximizing the hospitality and tourism sector’s potential by positioning the state well and ready for the MICE industry.
The MICE industry is a hospitality and tourism subsector that represents the acronym of: M – Meetings; I – Incentives; C – Conferences; and E – Exhibition, he explained
He called on all the relevant authorities to initiate discussions with event planners globally.
The project is slated for completion within 12 months
