National Stadium, Lagos.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of National Stadium, Surulere to Lagos State Government for retrofitting and upgrading to host international sporting tournaments, the State Government said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the ongoing annual Ministerial Press Briefing at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Kweku Tandoh, said it was gratifying to report that after series of back and forth, action would commence next week on paperwork for the formal handover of the facility to the State Government.

Responding to a question on the delay in handover of the stadium to the State Government for upgrade from its present state of decay, Tandoh said the approval for the release was given verbally by the President during his visit to Lagos few weeks ago, while terms of the agreement would now be based not on concession but complete release to the State Government.

Giving details, Tandoh said: “You would recall that the Lagos State Government signified interest in taking over completely the National Stadium and the Governor did not just say it, he actually met with the Minister of Sports and a tour of the facility was carried out.

“One thing later developed and there were signs and signals that the Governor received that they were not actually ready to hand over the Stadium to us rather it seems as if they just wanted a concession agreement where the State Government would spend the money, get it fixed while the Federal Government would still be in place but that is not what Lagos State Government wants.

“So, during the visit of the President to Lagos State few weeks ago, the Governor at the State Dinner was able to grouch the intention again and he mentioned it in his speech to the President and the President verbally gave approval that that was going to be in place. Just yesterday, the Governor directed that I proceed to Abuja next week to deliver some communications that are necessary to put in place a formal handover of the National Stadium to Lagos State Government. We are grateful that this time they will give it to us on the terms that the Lagos State Government has requested for,” he explained.

On activities of the Commission in the last one year, Tandoh said in line with the commitment of the present administration towards provision of world class sporting facilities, approval had already been given for comprehensive renovation of Campos Mini Stadium in Lagos Island, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere; Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba; Isheri Football Field/Swimming Pool, and Ijede Mini Stadium, Ikorodu.

He said both the Teslim Balogun Stadium and Campos Mini Stadium would have their artificial turf replaced with natural grass, while the remaining seats of Agege Stadium would be covered in addition to the upgrade already done in preparation of the facility for Confederation of African Football (CAF) matches.

He said within the period under review, the State Government awarded contracts for transformation of Onikan Stadium to an all-covered ultra-modern international stadium with FIFA certified artificial turf and multipurpose arena for entertainment concerts with capacity to accommodate 10,000 people, while preliminary works had already commenced on the construction of Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle.

He said it was also significant to report that the State Government has concluded plans to establish three viewing centres across the State for fans to watch world cup matches free of charge.

“Just yesterday, Governor Ambode approved that we should establish three viewing centres in Mushin, Alimosho and Ajegunle. The centres will be in place for the duration of world cup and will serve as venues where people in those areas can watch world cup matches free of charge,” Tandoh said.

He said approval had also been given for the employment of full time coaches as well as contract coaches, while training

And when we say its not Yorubas that developed Lagos, instead its the whole country that developed Lagos, some Afonjas will start crying?

#Nomansland

Lol... I'm sure he didn't know what he approved.... believe me.. if you give that man his resignation letter...he would gladly sign it and say.
.. '"anything else?"

nice

First Presidential Lodge
Now
National Stadium.
I pray Buhari will soon handover Aso Villa to Ambode

Long over due

Please let's start selling everything.. Nigeria Don tire me

Not bad . I believe Lagos state can manage it well

Naija tire me walai

A+ oya money don come ........

Contact me for your premium logo for your business...For proof of my work, click the link in my signature.

Great!!!

Now the Stadium will get the attention it deserves.

Good one

Na now day break.... wetin lagos state for don confirm since



Jst that ambode may stil dash it to d biggest omo onile of all time

A milestone achievement by Buhari!

Yorubas have scored another goal.

Nice....

One step closer to Yoruba Nation Autonomy!

This is how a succession is done. (Not shouting ''Give Us Biafla'' all over the place.)

God Bless the Yoruba Nation. Amen!!!

thanks God... the place go fine small and make them stop igbo smoking..

finally
After the abandonment and decay...

Next should be National Theater .. Privatize if you can't maintain

Next Ambode releases it to Tinubu.

To Lagos abi to tinubu.

wrong move

urchman23:
Long over due

....of course Lagos state will be able to give the stadium proper maintainance

nairavsdollars:
First Presidential Lodge
Now
National Stadium.
Buhari will soon handover Aso Villa to Ambode

Cos your own Aso Villa is in Lagos.

Failure of governance otherwise national assets of this nature should still be maintained in good shape & not selling it to fund a padded budget or conceding it to state government

This is a good news coming from a visionary leader that understands the importance of sports development.

itesiwaju Eko lo jewa logun!

What else do you want them to do if they can't maintain those assets?




Perfect Money/Payeer/Epay/Neteller/Skrill: ItuGlobal

That's better. Our country's poor maintenance culture is very worrisome. Anyway, all the best to the Lagos State Government.

Eko oni baje o