Sports
Alleged N21bn Renovation of Surulere National Stadium: IMC Chairman Blasts Critics of Sports Minister
….Says detractors don’t understand due process
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of Interim Management Committee (IMC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has blasted widespread media as well as social media on the criticism that Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare requested for the sum of N21 billion to rehabilitate the National Stadium, Surulere, in Lagos.
Contrary to this report, it has become important to state clearly that the Ministry has not requested or received any such amount from government or any individual.
The Sports and Youth Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, in an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos last week, only mentioned the figure as one of the estimated amount from the proposals received which indicates that about that sum would be needed for the complete rehabilitation and upgrade of the national edifice based on submissions made by different companies and contractors.
In a chat with Journalists, while clearing the air on the issue, on Wednesday in Abuja, Elegbeleye said this is the first time he saw a working adopt-a-pitch initiative by the Minister in the history of Nigeria’s sports.
Elegbeleye, who was former National Sports Commission’s Director General with many years of experience in sports administration, expressed that many lack understanding of due process and derived pleasure in bringing people that are doing well down.
According to him, Some people just wake up from the wrong side of the bed, come up and malign people. Once they wake up, the first thing they think is what they would say today to discredit somebody who is performing.
“I was DG, NSC. I have been in the sports industry for years, this is the first time we would see a minister who is interested in facilities, he carried it on his head and is doing It.
“Many don’t know what it takes to renovate a stadium, a stadium is a complete empire of entertainment, not just where you play football alone, there will be shopping-mall, bank, executive lounge, hospital, and we have so many facilities in the stadium.
“The N21 billion is not from the ministry of sports, it’s just an estimate to bring the stadium back to life, what has that got to do with Sunday Dare? It’s just a proposal from a company, as other companies will bring their own.
“This is not the budget time, it’s not in the budget of the Ministry of youth and sports development, it’s a mere proposal from the company and he read it out, where did that one become a problem?
“Again, the Ministry can’t spend such an amount of money to give out the contract without going through the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP.
“I was DG, I know the process, proposals are coming from several companies, BPP will now do their own costing, that is what we call due process system, they will now know the cost of project and approve any one among the proposal that meet up and send it back to the Ministry, who will now send it to the Presidency for Federal Executive Council to discuss, then FEC will now discuss whether to do or not. So, what has that got to do with someone who is Minister.
“Meanwhile the Minister’s tenure is expiring next month, once the government approves it, the project will be for the new administration, not him. What has Chief Sunday Dare got to do with spending of the money, he wouldn’t be there when money is given.
“So, why would people just wake up in their life to keep maligning people, some people are easily for sale, they present themselves as items, commodities for sale so that they can malign people.” He blasted.
Sports
Weightlifting Federation President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul Applauds NSC’s Leadership in Championing Sports Development in Nigeria
Joel Bisi
President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, has credited Nigeria’s triumphs so far at the African Senior Weightlifting Championship to the deliberate and strategic approach of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in revitalizing the nation’s sports sector by appointing technocrats to head the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Dr. Abdul made this statement on Thursday morning, in an interview in Moka, Mauritius, where Nigeria is currently competing in the African Senior Weightlifting Championship. As of Thursday evening, Nigeria sits on top of the medal standings with 10 Gold, 4 silver and one bronze.
Ruth Imoleayo Ayodele’s impressive showing on Thursday evening helped to increase Nigeria’s medal haul after winning three Gold medals to underline her dominance in her weight category.
“President Tinubu knew exactly what he wanted and was intentional in his selection of leaders for the National Sports Commission,” Dr. Abdul said. “By appointing proven technocrats like Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, he laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity for Nigerian sports.”
Mallam Shehu Dikko, a former Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), first appointed on December 26, 2014a, has also served in various capacities at FIFA and CAF. He has been at the forefront of key reforms within African and global sports governance, bringing his wealth of experience to the Commission.
Dr. Abdul also highlighted the immense impact of the NSC’s Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade—a two-time Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State—who has overseen numerous thriving sports projects across the country and internationally.
Speaking on Team Nigeria’s success so far in Mauritius, he said “this is no coincidence. The NSC gave us all the support we needed to succeed,” Abdul emphasized.
“When the DG announced thousands of dollars in financial incentives, sat with the athletes, shared meals, and took pictures with them—it wasn’t just symbolic. It was a powerful morale boost for all of them.”
According to him, “Our athletes felt truly seen, valued, and supported. Today, they competed like warriors—ready to give their all for the nation. That is the spirit this administration has ignited in Nigerian sports.”
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