By Ben Efe
The iconic National Stadium Surulere Lagos has been stripped bare of all its dignity and deprived of its usual sporting, economic and social activities.
The Sports Ministry, speaking the mind of the Federal government, is set to hand it over to concerns unknown in a process shrouded in secrecy. The move was initiated by former Sports Minister Sunday Dare who perhaps was unmindful of the significance the Sports City has played in the life of most Nigerian sports men and women since it was commissioned in 1973.
Fifty years later the National Stadium is out of use, chiefly because of the misculations of the Sport Ministry who by all means wants the sprawling edifice to be handed over to private hands to do whatever they pleased. But sports stakeholders are concerned about the fate of the sports city, because they feel there is no justification to hand it over to private outfits when the stadium could generate funds for its operation. And even at that; who are the individuals being considered and what yardstick did the ministry use to pick the would be concessionaires.
After embarking on on the ritualistic inspection of facilities at the National Stadium in September, Sports Minister John Eno told reporters that he would be toeing the line of his predecessor, meaning the concession plans of Mr. Dare would be a road map. But Mr. Eno being urged to have a rethink of the documents on his table and consult widely before taking the plunge into the unknown.
“The National Stadium is a national access and the government ought to be investing in its maintenance. If the Government can make funds for Agriculture development available, it should make funds available for sports development also,” said Christian Emeruwa, a sports administration lecturer and consultant.
“Government cannot give away such a historical venue in the name of concession. What parameters did they use in selecting the concessioners?”
Dr Emeruwa who is also Head and Founder of CAF Safety & Security, FIFA Senior Safety & Security Officer, added that the edifice on its own can maintain itself with a proper management and business development plans.
“The National Stadium is something we must not wish away, it is our national pride and a venue Nigerians can gather at any given time and so it must be put to good use. It is key to our sports development and it should be maintained
” In Kenya they have a management committee to manage sports facilities, the same thing in Morocco. The Stadium can fund itself if it is put into use, There are spaces businesses can use for their offices.”
For veteran sports journalist and broadcaster Effiong Nyong, it is worrisome and disturbing the Sports Ministry’s plan to go ahead with the concession without due consultation to relevant stakeholders.
” Concession is good if we follow due process. When we look at it from the angle of public/private partnership, which has produced results. We have a partnership that is working at the Swimming Pool, Tennis, Table Tennis, what role are these persons playing in the concessions plans, have they been given first right of refusal?
“But what we are hearing is that some persons have been appointed to take over these working partnerships, who they are, what they have done in sports… no answer
“The Stadium was working fine before former Minister Sunday Dare shut it down saying they wanted to carry out renovations and restore the stadium to its former glory, they pulled down a lot of structures and cleared out a lot of business. Stadiums are meant for businesses all over the world.
“If you look at the stadium today it resembles a place that has been devastated by war; a lot of things have been removed. All the roofs made of concrete have been removed and I believe it is deliberate to create a dilapidation scenario and make it easy for whoever they have penciled down to take over.
“What if those who are taking over turn the National Stadium to real estate, what would be the fate of the Nigerian sports men and women? There are a whole lot of questions begging for answers and the Sports Minister must rethink the process going forward.”
Coaches and athletes have also urged the Minister to have their interest at heart in his attempt to redo the National Stadium.
“This stadium holds a lot of memories for lots of Nigerian sports men and women, you can see some of them drive in from time to time to just hang around and watch the younger ones coming up,” said coach Isaac Ikhabome Osagie.
“It would not sound good for Nigeria sports development if we now hand it over to individuals who have no connection with sports. Before it was shut down this is where the majority of Nigerian athletes in all sports train. I think the government should have the interest of athletes at heart in any decision they are taking.”
