Lagos ready to take over National Stadium, Surulere

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration is set to take over the renovation and maintenance of the National Stadium, Lagos, which has been in a poor state for years.

Ambode made this known after an inspection of the facilities in the stadium on Wednesday alongside the Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and other top government functionaries.

The stadium which has hosted various international events, the last of which was the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999, has been in a sorry state hence the decision to hand it over to the Lagos State government to return it to its glory days.

Some of the facilities inspected at the Stadium include the Molade Okoya Tennis Hall, 3000 Capacity Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Beach Soccer Pitch, Synthetic Football Pitch and the 38,000 Capacity Main Bowl Football Field.

Minister Dalung decried the poor state of the stadium and how it has been allowed to degenerate, and advised that a management body that will be responsible for the maintenance of the stadium be set up by the State government.

“This visit is very important because it has provided us with the information of how we got to where we are today and what step we can take in the future,” Dalung said.

“We have gone round, we have seen the National Stadium, Lagos, in a sorry state. The level of dilapidation is embarrassing. It can never be equated with our civilization as a people, so whatever step that can be taken must be taken to address it.

“Whatever arrangement we are going to put in place, the management team must not be political, they must be very professional and patriotic in carrying out their duties.

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Dalung further stated that the speed of the Lagos State Government in achieving the desired renovation would be rewarded by having a Super Eagles 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier played in the stadium.

“I have received what I can call sport football gossip from the Nigeria Football Federation that if the National Stadium, Lagos, is handed over to the Lagos State government, and renovated in six months, the next match between Nigeria and Cameroon will be played here. This promise to bring the Nigeria versus Cameroon game here is to spur the Lagos State government so that they can achieve the desired result,” the Minister added.

And speaking to reporters afterwards, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode expressed the readiness of Lagos to meet with all the Minister’s demands, and stated that his administration will do everything possible to make sure the stadium gets the proper management it deserves.

“This visit of the National Stadium is historic because we have decided that we will join hands to prove a point that sports development is a sure way to fighting recession,” said Ambode.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch this monument to just waste away like that. The last match that was played here was like 15 years ago.

“I want to say the Sports Minister has been wonderful because he has been at the forefront in making this happen. He has revealed that he is a fan of Stationery Stores. He advised that we get a management agency for the stadium, we already have a management. We are properly positioned and it will only spur us on and let me say we are ready to take over the National Stadium.”

 

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