Months after the much-touted Rema concert sponsored by the Edo state government ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has taken an unscheduled tour round the facility.

Shaibu, who until now managed sports and revenue in the state before both sectors were removed from his office by Governor Godwin Obaseki during their fallout over the former's governorship ambition, described the visit as heartbreaking as his legacy (stadium) was now in shambles.

Recall that Shaibu managed, supervised and saw to the renovation and remodelling of the stadium to a world-class standard. The facilities would later be used by athletes during the 2020/2021 National Sports Festival, Edo 2020.

However, one year after sports was removed from the Office of the Deputy Governor and management of the stadium changed, the iconic facility is now almost a shadow of itself, left in ruins, owing to alleged mismanagement.

Besides, the usage of the stadium for Rema's homecoming concert against advice, deemed politically-motivated, which saw heavy equipment, heavy-duty vehicles and crowd, has ruined the facility including the tartan track, football pitch and main bowl.

Here's an article written by Shaibu and shared on his official social media pages, following his visit to the stadium on Wednesday.

A Legacy in Shambles: My Heartbreaking Visit to Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

As I stepped into the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium today, my heart bled as I was met with a scene that left me stunned and disheartened. The once-thriving sports facility, meticulously managed by my office before, now lies in ruins. The sheer neglect and disregard for taxpayers' money is appalling.

The tartan track, football pitch, tennis court, waveless swimming pool, and surrounding areas have deteriorated alarmingly, defying comprehension. A single concert, held in blatant disregard of contractual agreements, has voided the warranty and ravaged the main bowl. The consequences of this reckless decision are staggering.

Just one year out on sabbatical, our iconic stadium, once a beacon for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts worldwide, now stands as a testament to poor maintenance and bureaucratic indifference. With the National Sports Festival looming, this facility should be buzzing with activity – training sessions, workshops, and seminars. Instead, it lies dormant.

The Gymnasium Hall, once a pride of West Africa, fades into obscurity. Our state-of-the-art facility rusts away, abandoned and unused. This is not the vision we had for sports development in our state.

Politics should never supersede the people's interests. This stark reality check serves as a warning to those prioritizing ego over progress.

The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium should be restored to former glory and restore sports excellence in our state.

— HPS