JimCaddy's Corner: The Once Cherished National Edifice Called The National Stadium Lagos

Even though I have come across these pictures some years back, it still shocks me to know that things haven't changed at the once cherished national edifice called the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

This stadium which was built in the year 1972, once played host the 1980 edition of the African Nations Cup, which Nigeria won.

This stadium once played host to the finals of the 2002 edition of the African Nations Cup in which Nigeria lost to Cameroon.

This stadium used to be the delight of soccer fans in Lagos, even before the advent of the now rehabilitated Abuja National Stadium, it was Lagos all the way.

Bad management, negligence and corruption all played a part in grounding this national edifice.

Let's take for instance, the English national team, the Three Lions have one abode for home games which is the prestigious Wembley Stadium in London. Whereas, we have been moving our own home games from one stadium to the other. From the Abuja National Stadium to the Kaduna Stadium to the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, to the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

That a national team of such great pedigree as the Super Eagles don't yet have a permanent home ground sends shivers down my spine.

Do you know how much revenue we have lost from not having a permanent home ground? Do you know how much revenue is being lost by the continuous dilapidation of the National Stadium, Lagos?

I think it's high time the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, found a permanent solution to the National Stadium in Surulere.

I personally made a check of the stadium sometime last year, and I found out that some people have found a way to make money by virtue of ground rent as parties go on in the stadium every weekend. My personal check of the stadium coincided with a party I attended, and all I could do was to shake my head in disgust.

The main bowl of the stadium is in a state of bishma bishma (in Patrick Obahiagbon's voice).

The huge score board had rusted out, the flood lights have gone to the grave and returned several times.

Now all I see are different shops springing up for 'business' in every corner of the stadium. Proceeds from the rent of those shops go to whose pocket precisely??? Errr (seals lips).

What annoys me the most is that a certain Teslim Balogun Stadium just opposite the national stadium is the talk of the town. Played host to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009, plays host to different football games, yet we have an almost non existent stadium in whom we are well pleased.

My best advise to the Federal Government is to award the rehabilitation and management of the National Stadium Lagos to any willing astute investor who can see the huge potential in this 55,000-seater national edifice and generate thousands of jobs and revenue from it.

I love my country, Nigeria because there is nowhere else to go.

God bless Nigeria..

JimCaddy!!