By Matt Jones
The News
You never know where you can go, unless you ask.
That's the story of Paul Taylor. After all, it seems unlikely that an employee at Convergys would be invited to inspect the potential 2014 Commonwealth Games site in Abuja, Nigeria. But that's exactly what happened.
"I've done research on all three bids for the Commonwealth games," says Taylor. "I know a little bit about sports festivals. When I first researched this bid, I thought, Scotland is going to win. They've got impressive facilities."
When Halifax dropped out of the bidding, however, Taylor decided to look at the bid by Abuja.
"Lo and behold, they have a 50,000 seat state-of-the-art athletic stadium that hosted the All-African Games in 2003," says Taylor. "They had built up quite the impressive array of facilities."
Taylor e-mailed the Abuja committee and told them they should try to court the Canadian vote. "I told them 'Canada is a free vote now. You can take that vote away from Scotland.'"
Much to Taylor's surprise, the Abuja committee was impressed by his interest and flew him in to inspect the facilities and see the city.
The Abuja facilities were impressive, says Taylor, but more impressive was the city itself. Abuja, a planned city, was designed by a Japanese architect, and is well designed for future improvements. Taylor cites the example of their roadways.
"All their demand right now is for two lanes, but they're prepared for when they need more. When they need more lanes, they won't have to demolish and rebuild a larger road, it's got space ready for it. It's a case study in urban planning."
Taylor was even more impressed with the modernization of the city. In many ways, he says, Abuja is more advanced than many Canadian cities.
"They're ahead of the curve in a lot of ways. There are LED signs everywhere."
Taylor says that he was also impressed at the racial and ethnic tolerance showed in the city. "For a place that has 250 different ethnicities, they've very unified."
The committee gave Taylor a number of souvenirs, including engraved dishes, cutlery, and ceremonial robes Taylor wears every Friday to Convergys.
All for simply sending a friendly e-mail to an Abujan official, Taylor has memories that will last a lifetime.
Experience in Nigeria leaves impression
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Comments
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- Elie
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:32:50
Sir,
I find it tremendous to read the support of Paul Taylor for the Abuja Commonwealth Games. Besides all what he has said, which are all true. The 2014 Games will above all, coincide with celebrations marking the 100th year of Nigeria's existence . Isn't that wonderful for a country that is struggling against all odds to modernize to be given a boost however symbolic?
Furthermore, Abuja is modern and has the experience and capacity to host such events. Give Abuja and Africa a chance to show that, they are part and parcel of the Commonwealth. -
- Hani
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:24:37
I agree with Mr. Taylor. Abuja is a modern city with a promising future. Give Africa a chance! Nigeria in particular is bouncing back into life and is recording 6% economic growth in recent times, and will surely stage a good event...
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- paul
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:54:01
please get on board the support train James and shot me an email. for North American supporters I have a limited amount of Abuja 2014 Swag.
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- paul
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:41:57
Yes Tope a little error there on the part of the writer. If you are in support of the bid please send me an email at paultaylor42@hotmail.com
I thank news outlets like the Evening News and Halifax Herald for covering my trip and I am making an alert list for supporters to make comments on news article in regards tot he positives of the Abuja 2014 bid.
Cheers Paul Taylor -
- Tope
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:36:05
The Stadium is a 60,000 All seater, not 50,000.
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- paul
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:17:29
wow Mustapha way to go . Lets get our online support humming and unified . e mail me and let me put you on the list . if we all do this then we can make for unfied comments in the world media. I will be getting some local people on as well
paultaylor42@hotmail.com
PS email me for some other local developments for lobbying efforts I cant tell of in this forum . -
- Mustapha
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:56:07
Yes, its best that Nigeria hosts the Commonwealth 2014 games. It will bring about an increased economic development for Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa as a whole. Musish Football Club and the African Continent back this bid.
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- James
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:35:49
Yes!quite impressive comment.From the on look of projects in Abuja I think it would be wiser to give the African nation of Nigeria a chance to showcase what it's trying to change. Atleast it will give a sense of transparency to the commonwealth.Let's see if commonwealth is really bias!
