Sports
Again, FG orders closure of National Stadium Lagos
Nigeria’s Ministry of Youths and Sport Development has again ordered the temporary closure of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The Minister Sunday Dare made the declaration on Saturday following an inspection tour he made on Friday after the collapse of a floodlight mast in the facility.
Ripples Nigeria recalls that the Nigerian government had in 2020 ordered the shutdown of the facility as plans to renovate it was kick-started.
But activities had since returned to the Stadium, with the many businesses inside the facility returning to normal, as well as athletes training within.
Following his assessment of the collapse of the floodlight mast, Dare has now ordered the closure of the facility to avert any unforeseen circumstances.
“Thank God there was no casualty. I also inspected the three other light masts and the effects of age and weather elements were visible, clearly, they are also a suspect after 51 years,” he told reporters.
Read Also: Sports Minister says Lagos Stadium likely to ‘get back to life’ in April
“Based on my assessment, advice of experts and in the interest of public safety, there will be a temporary closure of the stadium and surrounding facilities; proper assessment and necessary action will be taken soon.
“The concession process towards fully privatising the Surulere stadium which began last year will be expedited by the Federal Government through the ICRC towards a comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of the 51 years old edifice.
“We have decided to be on the side of caution, hence the decision to impose extensive restrictions around the stadium.
“We request the cooperation of anyone who this decision may inconvenience as we cannot ascertain the reality on the ground,” said the minister.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...