Sports
Surulere Stadium Returning To Its Lost Glory As Contractor Completes Tartan Track, Scoreboard Others
Joel Ajayi
The National Stadium Surulere, a sporting arena in the Center Of Excellence Lagos has no hope of returning to its lost glory, as a result of years of deplorable state, decaying, neglected, and completely abandoned for over two decades.
Several administrations vowed to renovate the edifice, but the more they pledged to do this, the more the decay continued. Until the coming of Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Chief Sunday Dare with a vision for infrastructural restoration in the country.
A glance at the edifice showed that, after lying 20 years of rotting, the National Stadium Surulere is back to life courtesy of the effort of Former Sports Minister Sunday Dare.
Like him or hate him, the story of infrastructure development of sports in Nigeria can’t be complete without the impact of the Former Minister who took advantage Of private-public partnership PPP initiatives to bring some of the dying stadiums alive after some years of neglect.
He promised to turn around the deteriorating sporting facilities across the country.
Another Stadium that came alive under his watch was Moshood Abiola National Stadium now in good shape to host any international matches courtesy of Aliko Dangote.
The Abuja stadium has undergone rehabilitation with re-grassing of the main pitch, replacement of the scoreboard, and vandalized cables, which ensures the facility is well-lit at night to enhance security, all made possible due to the intervention and collaboration with the Dangote Group.
The Gleamer News equally gathered that, very soon stakeholders, sports lovers, athletes players once again will enjoy another Abandoned but restored 51-year-old stadium Surulere National Stadium that just returned to its pride and dignity.
Built in 1972 by the regime of General Yakubu Gowon, the sports arena hosted the 1973 African Games, as Nigeria emerged champions for the first time, before it hosted the 1980 AFCON, with the men’s football national team, then known as the Green Eagles, ruling Africa for the first time ever as well.
When immediate past Sports Minister Sunday Dare visited the stadium three years ago, he promised to renovate the stadium, using his adopt-a-stadium initiative, with billionaire businessman Adebutu Kessington taking over the renovation of the main bowl and football scoreboard of the stadium.
It was like the usual promise by the past administrator but renovation works began bulldozers rolled into the stadium with illegal shops demolished, and the owners, in their hundreds, were sent packing.
Today, The Gleamer News can authoritatively report that the National Stadium, Surulere glory is returned as the Contractor Completes Tartan Track and Scoreboard.
Now, more than ever, this project has resonated in the Lago city center and It will immediately become a beautiful source of pride for the Nigerians and a destination for sporting activities
Sports
Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju Emerges NAWIS Representative on AFN Board
By Joel Ajayi
Renowned former Nigerian sprinter Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju has been elected as the Nigeria Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS) representative on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Her emergence followed a transparent electoral process conducted by NAWIS on Monday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Olukoju secured 30 votes out of 45, defeating her sole opponent, Dr. Nneka Anibeze, who polled 15 votes.
The election aligns with the revised AFN constitution, which reserves a dedicated seat on the board for a women-in-sports representative.
A trailblazer in Nigerian athletics, Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju brings a wealth of experience to her new role. A former Olympian and African champion, she is best remembered for her record-breaking performances in the 400 metres and her pivotal role in Nigeria’s relay teams during the 1990s.
Her appointment is expected to bolster advocacy for gender inclusion, athlete welfare, and grassroots development within the federation.
In her acceptance speech, Olukoju expressed heartfelt gratitude for the trust placed in her by NAWIS members, pledging to work tirelessly to promote the interests of women in sports.
“Once again, I want to thank our founder and the NAWIS EXCO leadership. Leadership isn’t about how far you advance yourself—it’s about how far you can advance others,” she said.“If you’re not passing on what you’ve learned and experienced to those you lead, you’re not setting yourself up for lasting success. Leaders are meant to serve others.”
She also emphasized her readiness to take on the responsibility, regardless of her location.
“Thank God I have good health and stamina. I’m ready to contribute positively to the growth of sports in Nigeria, especially women in sports.
“Let me remind you that I have always answered the call to serve Nigeria, no matter where I lived at the time.
“I am ready to serve again in this new capacity, and distance will never stand in the way. I will always be physically present to carry out this great responsibility whenever necessary.”
With her appointment, Fatimah Yusuf Olukoju is set to be a powerful voice on the AFN board—representing women, championing development, and shaping a stronger future for Nigerian athletics.
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