Sports Minister Vows to Restore Glory of National Stadium, Lagos

Kunle Adewale

In continuation of his assessment of the state of major sports facilities in the country, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, yesterday inspected the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The minister started his inspection from the stadium complex, where he visited the National Institute of Sports, the boxing complex, mainbowl of the stadium, sports medicine centre, indoor sports hall and other facilities.

Other facilities he inspected include the Games Village hostels, Legacy Pitch, Power House, as well as the courts for different sports.

Briefing journalists after the inspection, Enoh said, “this facility built around in 1972 has been put to use functionally, including hosting the 2nd All Africa Games in 1973 and has gone through a lot.

“This should not be the symbol of our sports in a city referred to as a sports city,” he added.

The Minister stated that he will do all it takes to bring back the glory of the facility, which was once the pride of Africa.

“I am glad that the process towards the concessioning of the facility has gone far. If that is what it will take to restore the glory of this facility, I endorse it 100 per cent.”

Enoh thanked private partners like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Kessington Adebutu for their contributions towards sports development in the country. 

He said Nigeria remains appreciative of their investments in uplifting sports facilities in the country.

Adebutu partnered the Ministry in the revamp of some facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere, while Alhaji Dangote invested in works at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Enoh said the maintenance of the facilities is necessary, not to repeat the mistakes of the past that resulted in decadent infrastructure.

“We must be careful and make something happen quickly, so that the facilities we have working, don’t fall into the same sorry state of shame.”