Sanwoolu promises to speed up takeover of National Stadium if elected Lagos State governor

LAGOS State gubernatorial aspirant Babajide Sanwoolu has promised to vigorously follow-up the bid to take over the dilapidated National Stadium complex if he elected governor next week.

On March 2, Lagosians will go to the polls to elect a new governor along with 29 other states once the presidential and national Assembly elections are out of the way this weekend. Mr Sanwoolu is standing for governor as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, hoping to succeed the incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Speaking yesterday while on a special visit to the secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Mr Sanwoolu said that if elected, taking over the stadium would be a major priority for him. Lagos State had submitted a bid in 2016 to take over the 45-year old stadium complex that has fallen into a state of disrepair since Nigeria's capital was moved to Abuja in 1991.

Following the construction of a new National Stadium in Abuja, the Lagos facility has been left unused and neglected and is now an eyesore. Promising to address this matter of elected, Mr Sanwoolu pledged to give the sports sector a special boost if elected in the forthcoming elections.

He added that sports would be autonomous from the other entertainment sectors and efforts would be made to ensure that it is self-driven to bring the best out of potential that abounds in the nooks and crannies of the state. Mr Sanwoolu said: “This sector deserves a special attention and we will ensure that the restive youths would be fully engaged in the rediscovery of their talents in the drive to bring back the old glory associated with the state at the National Sports Festival.

"Although I’m aware that other states poach athletes who have been groomed by Lagos State when national events come up, it is on record that Lagos do not need to do same because we have abundant talents who have been lured for monetary gains. Our Lagos State Sports Commission will continue with its policies such as training grants to athletes and empowering the coaches with up-to-date knowledge of their respective events, while motivation of athletes will not be neglected."