The Enugu State Government has inked a multi-million dollar pact with the Del-York Group to construct a cutting-edge entertainment and sports park within the state. 

Governor Peter Mbah, sealing the venture agreement at the Government House in Enugu over the weekend, highlighted investors’ growing interest in the state, attributing it to its reputation as the safest haven for living, investment, sports, and entertainment.

Inking the deal, Governor Mbah stated, “Investors have started picking interest in the state in their numbers for businesses because his administration was able to work tirelessly to make Enugu the safest state for living, investment, sports and entertainment.”

The ambitious project, named “The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park,” is a collaborative effort with Del-York International Group and aims to be a multifaceted sports and entertainment hub. The initiative targets development, training, innovation, education, talent discovery, hospitality, and entertainment.

Del-York’s CEO, Linus Idahosa, expressed enthusiasm for the strategic launch of the project in Enugu State, saying, “We feel that today is a very special day in the annals of Nigerian history for so many reasons such as the roles that Enugu State government and the South East have played in the development and growth of the creative industry and sports industry across the world.”

He commended Governor Mbah’s initiative, stating, “For His Excellency to have taken the initiative to begin a project of this kind that seeks to create an environment that will foster the growth and development of sports and entertainment industries for the Southeastern region is an incredible effort that deserves praise globally.”

Frank Pastorino, an EVP Development investor with Del-York Group, emphasized Nigeria’s, and particularly Enugu State’s, extraordinary potential and wealth of opportunities in sports and creative industries. 

He said, “Critical investment in the area of sports development, sports discovery, training, conditioning; Nigeria, and Enugu, is the epicenter where the future of sports talent and development should lie.”

Larisa Miller, CEO of Phoenix Global Group Holdings, stressed the broader economic prospects of the sports and entertainment sectors, adding, “The sports and the entertainment sectors have a broader economic prospect with the right vision, plan and programmes which are what they are bringing to the state.”

Governor Mbah reiterated the government’s commitment to making Enugu State a premier destination for investment, stating, “As you already know, we are on a mission to make Enugu state the premier destination for investment, and the area of interests for us is quite diverse.”

He emphasized the state’s role in the entertainment industry, saying, “We are proud to always say that this is where it all started. We are the harbinger of that whole industry. It all started here and it wasn’t by accident. I think our topography, our environment, and our people naturally lend themselves to making Enugu State as that destination for preferred entertainment.”