by DYI Team
The Del-York Group has signed an agreement with the Enugu State Government to develop an ultra-modern Multipurpose Sports, Education, and Entertainment hub to be known as the 042 Arena and Entertainment Park. The signing ceremony, which took place on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Government House in Enugu, had in attendance His Excellency the Governor of Enugu State, the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney General, Honourable Commissioners for Investments and Trade, Tourism, Youths, and Sports, other top government officials, and representatives of the Del-York Group, amongst others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, expressed his excitement for the project and the partnership with Del-York Group, describing it as a game-changer for the State. He remarked, “We are on a mission to make Enugu State a preferred destination for investment, and this project signals the triumph of the investment spirit of the state. Working with our strategic Joint Venture partners, the Del-York Group, we will achieve our mandate of becoming the investment capital of Nigeria. We are wholeheartedly committed to providing all the necessary support alongside creating an enabling environment to make the project a resounding success.”
“We have a rich heritage of Sports and Entertainment of which Enugu has undoubtedly produced some of Nigeria’s sporting legends and is known as the home of entertainment. We cannot use the solutions of the past to solve the problems of the future. This is why we are deliberate in using our strengths- our history, talent, and passion in sports and entertainment; to drive Enugu State towards a strong, resilient, and prosperous tomorrow.” He added.
The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park, at its core, will feature state-of-the-art facilities that cater to the training and development needs of athletes of different categories, from amateurs in youth programs to more established international professionals. This all-inclusive facility will also provide modern event spaces for athletes and spectators alike. In addition to sport-specific venues and training facilities, the Enugu State development will contain athlete housing, a physical therapy and sports medicine center, and a performance center focused on top athletes’ specific strength, conditioning, and nutritional needs. The development will also incorporate training programs in related disciplines like sports medicine, sports marketing, and athlete agencies to support the new generation of athletes and international competitions.
The project will introduce a comprehensive ecosystem essential for the development and growth of the entertainment industry in Enugu State. By leveraging the vibrant legacy of the industry, this project will create a thriving center that fosters collaboration, innovation, and the further acceleration of the entertainment sector. This comprehensive approach aims to shape a vibrant future for the southeast region, ensuring its continued eminence in the world of entertainment. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs for the people of Enugu State and attract investors and a surge of tourists to the State. It will also provide a platform for the youth to showcase their talents, promoting sports and youth development in the State and the entire South-East region.
The CEO of Del-York Group, Dr. Linus Idahosa, also expressed his company’s commitment to delivering a world-class sports and entertainment hub that will be a heritage for Enugu State and the South Eastern region as a whole. He emphasized the importance of collaboration through Public Private Partnerships in the development of projects that deliver immense value to the people at the grassroots. He mentioned “We understand and embrace the power of sports and the creative arts as unifiers and as vehicles for economic development for Enugu State. This vision was the inspiration for this transformational project- a Public-Private-Partnership between the Enugu State Government, Del-York Group, and other strategic partners. We believe that by building on the strengths of Enugu, and placing the rich heritage of sports and entertainment within the State at the epicenter of its development strategy, the possibilities of the future are limitless.”
With this development, Enugu State is set to become a major destination for sports and entertainment in Nigeria and West Africa. This laudable undertaking holds much potential to drive the State’s investment goals.