President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of National Stadium, Surulere to Lagos State Government for renovation and upgrading to host International sporting tournaments. Habib Aruna, chief press secretary to the Lagos state governor, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Speaking at the on-going annual Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Kweku Tandoh, said that after series of deliberations, action would commence next week on paperwork for the formal handover of the facility to the State Government.
He said: “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.”
He said action would commence next week on paperwork for the formal handover of the facility to the state government.
“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,” Tandoh said.
“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.
“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.”
The last time the Super Eagles played at the National Stadium, Surulere, was on April 30, 2004, when Nigeria lost 0-1 to Senegal in the LG Cup.
