Abuja: Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says the commission will constantly enhance staff wellbeing to deliver on its national mandate. Ewalefoh said this in Abuja after the ICRC management team defeated the staff team 3-1 in a novelty football match played on the five-a-side pitch of the Nigerian Army Polo Club.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the match was aimed at fostering team spirit and breaking office barriers among the staff members. The D-G, who scored one of the goals for the management side, said the initiative was conceived to strengthen camaraderie and promote physical, mental, and emotional fitness among staff.
Ewalefoh emphasized the importance of a united, healthy, and motivated workforce in bridging Nigeria’s huge infrastructure gap through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). He stated, “We have a very daunting mandate of helping to build Nigeria’s infrastructure and harness private sector capital. To do that effectively, we must be fit mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
The novelty match provided an opportunity for management and staff to interact socially, thereby strengthening teamwork and mutual understanding within the commission. Ewalefoh described 2025 as one of the most successful years in the history of the ICRC, citing increased presidential support and major milestones recorded in PPP project approvals.
He highlighted achievements such as advancing more than 20 projects and securing about 4.2 billion dollars in private sector investments, including projects like the Bakassi Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaport, and the Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project. Ewalefoh attributed these successes to strong leadership support from President Bola Tinubu and the collective effort of the commission’s staff.
To sustain these achievements, Ewalefoh stressed the need for unity of purpose and continuous engagement among staff, encouraging similar team-building activities. He commended the staff for their support throughout the year and urged them to remain dedicated in the coming year.
Speaking after the 3-1 victory, Yusuf Haruna, Technical Adviser to the DG, ICRC, described the match as a blend of strategy, experience, and teamwork rather than mere competition. He noted that the management team’s composure and experience made the difference, emphasizing the match’s role in boosting staff morale and unity.
On the losing side, Stephen Wadinga accepted the defeat in good spirit, highlighting that the game was meant for fun and bonding rather than rivalry. Mustafa Junaidu, who scored the second goal for the management team, expressed excitement at his unexpected goal after a long hiatus from active football.
The match has motivated the management team to take fitness more seriously ahead of future encounters, with a hint at the possibility of a rematch after more structured training.