The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has dismissed the speculations that a humongous fund was spent on the renovation of the Lagos National Stadium, with further clarifications that Ministry has not requested or received the sum of N21 billion to rehabilitate the 51-year-old edifice.
In an advertorial, the ministry stated that the Stadium has witnessed a new lease of life under the leadership of chief Sunday Dare as minister with several innovative approach to put the stadium into the right use.
The statement said inter alia: “The stadium was built 51 years ago under the General (Retd) Yakubu Gowon regime but the imposing edifice which hosted the All-Africa Games in 1973 and the Africa Cup of Notions in 1980, was abandoned tor over 18 years.
“Through these years it has rusted away, vandalized and stripped of its critical equipment and facilities; and the Minister Sports could not tackle the challenge of renovating the place due to paucity of government funds.
“Mr Sunday Dare, however, chose to confront It through his Adopt-A-Pitch strategy under the Adopt Initiative. The Adopt a facility also produced great results. The Moshood Abiola National Stadium main bowl in Abuja has come alive again and has hosted over 15 international matches after its rehabilitation. The stadium was abandoned for over 13 years until Dare got Alhaji Aliko Dangote to fix some aspects of the decay. “
The case of the National stadium in Surulere is worse having been left to rot for over 18 years but through personal efforts, the Minister got Chief Kessington Adebutu to begin the process of the restoration of the stadium. This was planned to be in phases with prospective sponsors.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry said it has not requested or received the sum of N21 billion to rehabilitate the National Stadium in Lagos despite a contrary media report.
Rather the Minister, according to its Director, Press & Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos last week, only mentioned the figure as one of the estimated amounts from the proposals received which indicates that about that sum would be needed for the complete rehabilitation and upgrade of the national edifice based on submissions made by different companies and contractors.
Manga said the clarification was necessary for the benefit of those who may not be conversant with the due processes involved in the execution of projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government, thus; that no such request nor approvals have been made as it is all still at the process of review of proposals.