Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 5,000 capacity Onikan Stadium,
near Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos Island, in order to make it meet the
expectations of a 21st Century sporting facility which is also in line
with the new Onikan-Marina Regeneration plan.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde,
the state government said the upgrade demonstrates its commitment to
use sports as a potent tool for development and job creation; adding
that the stadium, which is the oldest in Nigeria, was originally built
in 1930 but was last renovated in the 1980s.
“The
upgrading of the stadium will rekindle the interest of football fans in
local league, as well as promote sports tourism, take sports to greater
heights and encourage youth activities,” he said.
He
further stated that rehabilitation works would also be done on external
and internal walls, electrical and mechanical installations; paved
driveways, perimeter fence; borehole and water reticulation as well as
external electricity lighting and landscaping amongst others.
Onikan
Stadium has, over the years, served as a multi-purpose stadium used for
many social and political activities apart from hosting of football
matches but its fortunes nosedived in the past few years due to
inadequate funding and maintenance.
He
added that the reconstruction and upgrade of the stadium would
complement the adjoining JK Randle Arts Centre, the proposed Lagos
Museum, the Lagos History Centre as well as the Lagos Heritage Centre
which are all tourism-inspired projects.
Credit: LIB
No comments:
Post a Comment