By Emmanuel Afonne
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-aside pitch of the Nigerian Army Polo Club.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.
According to him, the task of bridging Nigeria’s huge infrastructure gap through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) requires a united, healthy and motivated workforce.
“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.
“Beyond the formal office setting, we need platforms like this to bond, to interact freely and to see ourselves as comrades working towards a common vision,” he said.
Ewalefoh said that the novelty match also provided an opportunity for management and staff to interact socially, thereby strengthening teamwork and mutual understanding within the commission.
He 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.
“In this year alone, more than 20 projects were advanced, with the Federal Executive Council approving about 13 or 14.
“We also recorded 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,” he said.
He attributed the achievements to strong leadership support from President Bola Tinubu and the collective effort of staff of the commission.
Ewalefoh stressed that sustaining such achievements required unity of purpose and continuous engagement among staff, adding that similar team-building activities would be encouraged.
“To sustain this tempo, we must remain focused, united and committed to our mandate.
“Events like this will help us celebrate success, build confidence and motivate ourselves to do more.”
He commended the staff for their support throughout the year and urged them to remain dedicated in the coming year.
“We should all be proud of what we have achieved, but we must do more; by the time we leave this commission, we should be able to say that we contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s infrastructure development,” Ewalefoh added.
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.
According to him, the management team entered the game confidently but not arrogantly, noting that their composure and experience eventually made the difference.
“We are role models to them, so it’s only proper that we lead and they follow. We had a strategy, and it worked. At some point, it looked like we slowed down, but that was deliberate,” he said.
Haruna emphasised that beyond the scoreline, the novelty match was a major boost for staff morale and unity, and commended the DG for fostering a strong culture of teamwork.
“This is not just about winning. It’s about team building, relationships, and bonding. Since the DG came in, he has emphasised teamwork, and this match reflects that vision. We are ending the year on a high.”
On the losing side, Stephen Wadinga took the defeat in good spirit, stressing that the game was meant for fun and bonding rather than rivalry.
“I’m a sportsman. In sports and in business, you either win or lose. It’s not a do-or-die affair. We started well, but some of my teammates were tired. At the end of the day, it’s just a game.”
Wadinga added that the match further strengthened relationships within the commission, likening the atmosphere to that of a family, while hinting at the possibility of a rematch after more structured training.
Meanwhile, Mustafa Junaidu, who scored the second goal for the management team, expressed excitement at finding the back of the net after more than two decades away from active football.
“I haven’t played football in a very long time, so scoring a goal was a big surprise for me. It was just an instinct. Once you’ve played before, it stays in you.”
Junaidu noted that the win has motivated the management team to take fitness more seriously ahead of future encounters.
“They underestimated us at first, but now they know what we’re capable of. This will push all of us to train more, stay fit, and be even better prepared next time,”he said.
The novelty match formed part of the ICRC’s end-of-year activities to promote staff welfare and celebrate the commission’s achievements in 2025. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
