Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday declared the readiness of the state to take over the National Stadium from the Federal Government and transform the facility in Surulere from its present deplorable condition to a world-class sporting centre.
Speaking after embarking on an extensive inspection tour of the facilities in the stadium alongside the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick and other top government functionaries, Mr Ambode said it was unfortunate how things had degenerated, but expressed preparedness to hit the ground running towards restoring the old glory of the Stadium once officially handed over to the State.
The governor, who recalled how enthusiastic and interesting it was for people in the past to visit the National Stadium with their families to watch matches and catch fun among others, said repositioning the stadium would not only help to bring about layers of employment but that it would also facilitate family bonding.
“This visit is very historic. I recall that during our campaign, we promised that we are going to use tourism, entertainment and arts and sports to drive youth employment as well as drive excellence. So, this is just one chapter in that roadmap to growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos.
“With the state of affairs here, we cannot fold our arms and just leave this monument to just waste away. The last match that was played here was about fifteen years ago but the truth is this, the inner key to youth empowerment and youth employment is actually in re-establishing this edifice to its real world class standard,” he said.
Governor Ambode noted that President Muhammadu Buhari approved that the Ahmadu Bello Stadium be given to Kaduna State as well as Enugu Stadium and Calabar Stadium be given to Enugu and Akwa Ibom respectively.
“What we ask for in Lagos is not as if we are being aggressive, we just think that we need to stand up for leadership here and take over the National Stadium,” the governor added.
He commended Mr Dalung for spearheading the move to handover the stadium to Lagos State and expressed optimism that the journey which had started would eventually lead to a formal pronouncement.
Earlier, the sport minister lamented the dilapidated condition of the stadium which he described as a national disaster, just as he called for serious and comprehensive action to reposition it and return it to its pride of place.
“I want to thank the governor for finding time to come. I have received what I can call football gossip from football federation that if the Surulere Stadium is handed over to Lagos and renovated in six months, the next match of Nigeria against Zambia would be played here,” Dalung said.
He also appealed to Ambode to revamp Stationary Stores Football Club of Lagos.
