President Muhammadu Buhari had once again reaffirmed his commitment and political will to renovate, manage and maintain in high standard, stadiums across the nation for optimum use in youth and sports development, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare made this assertion during his visit to some stadiums recently such as, National Stadium Surulere, Onikan and Campus memorial, all in Lagos State.

In a statement made available by the information officer of the ministry, Hasiya Haruna on behalf of the Director of Press, it noted that as regards the decaying state of the National Stadium, Surulere, the Minister assured that the Ministry will consult and sit with experts and stakeholders, including Auditors to work out best options.

He promised to put in motion a process of refurbishing the edifice which he said is central to bringing back the culture of sports, which will require political will, and synergy of various levels of Federal Government, States and Local Governments working together and most importantly a large dose of participation by the private sector.

Similarly, Mr Sunday Dare has also visited the MKO Stadium Abuja, Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna as well as inspecting other Stadiums. He said that government is ready to upgrade, manage and maintain these facilities to its optimal working condition that will attract a huge number of youths involving themselves in different sporting activities, thereby diverting their minds and attention from vices.

The Minister said this will be one of the several inspections that will be done on the facilities; reports and audits will be done before the actual renovation. He said that Government is determined to build the capacity and good virtues of our Youths through the standard upgrade of these Stadia to enhance and ensure relative peace and security in Nigeria.

As the saying goes, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” but when these youths are positively engaged in one sporting game or the other in these standard and well equipped Stadia, they will become good citizens of the Nigerian society.