The immediate past Sports Minister Sunday Dare has been applauded for bequeathing the National Stadiums in Abuja and Lagos to the present administration in an improved state.
The pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja had been abandoned for close to a decade and was becoming a breeding ground for livestock while that of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos had been rendered otiose for much longer with no efforts made to rehabilitate it.
The former Sports Minister initiated the Adopt a Pitch Programme and attracted the private sector in his aggressive drive to restore both national edifices to their glory days.
Respected journalist Dare Esan said, “Sunday Dare should be commended for leaving both the National Stadium, Surulere, Lago,s and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja in a much better state than he met them when he was appointed Sports Minister in August 2019.
“For the Lagos Stadium, three key components, which are the track, pitch,h, and digital scoreboard have been delivered thanks to the adopt a pitch initiative which facilitated the private public partnership with the Premier Lotto group and its owner Pa Kensington Adebutu. The facility has been out of use for over two decades.
“The track, an eight-lane tartan track has been professionally laid and lined. It is a beauty to behold,” Esan added.
Former Nigerian international athlete Mary Onyali praised the former Sports Minister for restoring her ‘former stomping ground and venue of her many national and international sprint triumphs’.
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“I am one of the happiest persons on earth right now with the delivery of the tartan track at the Lagos National Stadium. That stadium holds a special place in my heart and I thank Honourable Sunday Dare for delivering on his promise to rehabilitate the track and two other components of the edifice,” Onyali said.
In a related development, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has had its pitch rehabilitated with water sprinklers to ensure good maintenance also in place as well as two new digital scoreboards.
For close to a decade, international matches could not be held in Abuja but since the rehabilitation which was bankrolled by the Dangote Group in 2021, all Nigerian national football teams have played international matches there.
13 Comments
Hahahahaha…..This one is still struggling for relevance after realizing what a disaster he was for 4 years…LMAOoo.
What a poor attempt at image laundry. Date Esan, Mary Onyali, lol. We know how these things work. The Abuja and Lagos stadia were such in a pristine state that the the SE match was moved to Uyo so as not to stain Dare’s pet project pitches. Lol. Not to worry, that doesn’t mean EFCC won’t still audit your corrupt tenure. Dey play. He was one of the reasons we lost the WC ticket as he kept distracting the team with unnecessary visits and big mouth arrogant talks.
Dare Esan, Mary Onyali and other quoted ‘experts’ plus Complete Sports will get a big handshake (*wink* *wonk*) for creating and publishing this PR post. In fact, this is how it works. CS would be commissioned to do a PR work that will be veiled as a regular story to the untrained eye. The brief will include the objectives of the ‘story’ and a suggestion of willing ‘experts’ list to interview to give the story some oomph and credibility. Execution is then left to the CS editorial team or specific editor concerned.
Hahahaha….he did such damn good jobs on the Lagos and Abuja stadia that even CAF was so overwhelmed and felt those 2 do not deserve to be desecrated with international matches. CAF rather approved only Uyo stadium as fit for such purpose…..LMAOooo.
Yeye people dem
Cannot believe what I’m reading and the toxic level of sycophancy in Nigeria! Why was the new minister of sports reportedly in tears on visiting the two national stadiums? Maybe the Dare lobby will tell us they were tears of joy! Haba, this country!!!
Shameless bunch.@Maryonyali, please don’t get involved.Nigerians were all in Uyo yesterday, physically and in spirit. We all know what a good stadium ambience is all about. Even the visiting team was full of praise. A sports minister who forcefully went to train with a National team, uninvited. Let them continue to fool themselves.
It’s a shame to have this kind of writeup.Its really a shame
Dr dry and his ass kisser, abeg why dare matter dey bother una. Idiots and fools who sit behind their laptops to condemn people’s effort. Whats has your sorry has done to help rebuilt the stadium. And some mumu will be saying they gave him $1 million dollars. Money wey be say top teams in europe are using to maintain their grass. Kudos to you uncle dare. Abeg dey enjoy your retirement, even the ex- international stars are praising your work. Abeg continue to let them have headache biko
I am mortified that Mary Onyali is mentioned! But in Nigeria criminals who ruin the country have a group of lesser bandits and harlots singing their praises.
I hope you’re not labeling Mary Onyali as a “harlot”?
If you are, besides the crude misogyny, Mary Onyali has EARNED the right (many times over) with her sheer blood and sweat to freely express her opinion on matters involving Nigerian sports.
Sunday Dare will forever be considered as a DISASTROUS Sports Minister for banning the D’Tigress from the FIBA World Cup.
See his head like Akpu pesin wey no get sense…
WHO BE YEYE MAN BETWEEN DARE AND DR DRY? SINCE $1 MILLION DOLLARS CAN BE USED TO BRING BACK A STADIUM TO LIFE IN THIS DAY AND AGE. SMH