Kunle ADELABU & Seun AJAYI
Sports administrators, politicians and residents of Ikorodu have commended the state government’s decision to set up viewing centres in Ikorodu, which provided a stadium-like environment, for the viewing of the matches at the ongoing World Cup in Russia.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, made approval for additional two viewing centres at Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, and Badagry Grammar School, Badagry, to add to the originally approved six centres across the state.
The originally approved centres are Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island; Abesan playground, Alimosho; Naval Yard, Ajegunle; Bishop Aggrey Youth Centre, Mushin and Epe Recreation Centre, Epe.
On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, over 5,000 residents trooped out to watch the Nigeria match against Argentina which was the first match to be viewed at the Ikorodu centre.
Since then, live matches have been showing to the delight of the residents.
Some of the residents, who spoke with THE IMPACT at the Ikorodu Town hall centre on that Tuesday after watching the match between Nigeria and Argentina, which was lost by the former and on June 28, after the England versus Belgium match, commended the State government for the initiative.
Prince Akeem Bolade Olutuga, a board member of the Lagos State Sports Commission representing Ikorodu, commended the governor of Lagos State for the initiative.
“First of all, we have to thank our able Governor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, because as it is going on in Ikorodu now, it’s also going on all over the state, we have to give kudos to him. Then, this is first time it’s happening in Ikorodu and even the spectators, they heard about it today and you can see, we have over 5,000 people here, that means Ikorodu people are sports loving people”.
Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, while also speaking said, “I’m elated. It’s awesome feeling here with the amount of people here, it’s like wow. You know when I was saying Ikorodu my football, my Lagos, I can’t but thank His Excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode because he has brought about the spirit of communalism in Ikorodu; everybody coming together to share happiness and fun. For now, we’re one Lagos, one Ikorodu and we can’t just think of any other Governor come 2019 than “Ambo one more time”. We are happy because we are loving it.”
Otunba Kayode, the Publisher of Mega City Magazine, in his own remark, stated that, “My observation when I got here was that I saw a huge crowd and I love it. The atmosphere here is cool and no problem, everybody is watching and enjoying and I praise our Governor, Mr Ambode, for this. He’s doing a great thing, especially for the youths. The Governor keeps them busy and am sure come 2019, Ambode will be there again”.
Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, the Majority Leader of the Ikorodu Local Government Legislative Arm, while also commenting, stated, “This is a welcome development and I will give a very huge kudos to His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Oladapo Ambode. He has really tried. The only language that all the continents understand is goal and he has brought us together, no matter where you belong, your tribe and every other thing, he’s bringing everybody together to shout one language which is ‘Goal’ and I really appreciate him for this. I pray by the grace of God, he’s still coming back once more.”
Olalekan Pelumi, who watched the Nigeria versus Argentina match at the Ikorodu Town hall, stated, “We are really happy about this and we want to thank the Lagos State Government for what they are doing here. I also want to thank the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. SOB Agunbiade, and the Lagos State Sports Commission, for facilitating the viewing centre to Ikorodu. When we heard that they are doing this in other local governments, the Majority Leader liaised with them and today, we are having this here. We just want to thank Governor Ambode and we assure him of our support for his second term ambition”.
Oke Godwin, an Economist, while speaking said, “I think it’s a good development and we are all enjoying ourselves here. We have a whole lot of people here watching World Cup in a happy mood despite the fact that Nigeria is a goal down, people are still hopeful. People are thanking the Governor for this great gesture”.
Hassan Bashir Oluwakemi, Chief Executive Officer of Suave Records, while speaking said, “I think this is a welcome development. This is getting down to the grassroots, and everybody is being carried along in a fiesta that only happens once in four years. Sport is something that unifies all youths and people in every environment. I think this is a very good development. it is adding to the development at hand which is very good. It shows our government are responsive.”
