The Enugu State Government has signed an agreement with Del York Group (“Del-York”) to develop an ultra-modern Multipurpose Sports, Education and Entertainment
hub to be known as the 042 Arena and Entertainment Park. the signing ceremony, at the Government House in Enugu, had in attendance His
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, 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
caters to the training and developments needs of athletes of different categories, from the
amateurs in youth programs, to the more established international professionals. This allinclusive facility will also provide modern event spaces accommodating to 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 the specific strength, conditioning, and nutritional needs of top
athletes. The development will also incorporate training programs in related disciplines like
sports medicine, sports marketing, and athlete agency 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 south east 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 grassroot. 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
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 so much potential in
driving the State’s investment goals.
