Society
“Heartbreaking” – Philip Shaibu Shares Disrepair At Edo Stadium While He Was Out Of Office
“my heart bled as I was met with a scene that left me stunned and disheartened”
Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu has lamented the state of disrepair that has befallen the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
The Deputy Govenor who was removed from office in the face of an intense political battle with Governor Obaseki, but was returned to office by the court shared his experience at the stadium on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
He made the revelations in a social media narrative with the header “A Legacy in Shambles: My Heartbreaking Visit to Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium”.
It reads…
As I stepped into the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium today, my heart bled as I was met with a scene that left me stunned and disheartened. The once-thriving sports facility, meticulously managed during my tenure, now lies in ruins. The sheer neglect and disregard for taxpayers’ money is appalling.
The tartan track, football pitch, tennis court, waveless swimming pool, and surrounding areas have deteriorated alarmingly, defying comprehension. A single concert, held in blatant disregard of contractual agreements, has voided the warranty and ravaged the main bowl. The consequences of this reckless decision are staggering.
Just one year out on sabbatical, our iconic stadium, once a beacon for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts worldwide, now stands as a testament to poor maintenance and bureaucratic indifference. With the National Sports Festival looming, this facility should be buzzing with activity – training sessions, workshops, and seminars. Instead, it lies dormant.
The Gymnasium Hall, once a pride of West Africa, fades into obscurity. Our state-of-the-art facility rusts away, abandoned and unused. This is not the vision we had for sports development in our state.
Politics should never supersede the people’s interests. This stark reality check serves as a warning to those prioritizing ego over progress.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium should be restored to former glory and restore sports excellence in our state.
— HPS
