Lagos is home to well over 21 million citizens, with almost every ethnic group in the nation well represented. Popularly known as the business district of West Africa, it’s no secret that Lagos is the sports central of Nigeria, with more sports enthusiasts than anywhere else in the country. The Lagos State government is on a mission to put Lagos back on the sports map.
On Saturday, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode unveiled the ‘Football Forever’ monument at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, acknowledging that football remains the most popular sports in Nigeria and has kept the nation united even in critical periods.
The statue is a 22ft tall sculpture of four football players, two aside, standing on an 8 feet high concrete base with a very bold display of the dominant side of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment and passion for the game.
The Governor, through the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola expressed his content with the statue and described it as a symbol of the great value Lagosians and Nigerians, in general, have placed on sports and football in particular.
He went further to commend the creativity behind the Promethean statue and charged sports enthusiasts to see it as a symbol of hope and strength.
“The Monument seeks to educate the Nigerian youth and all visitors to Lagos State that our passion for sports is not only captured by iconic infrastructure facilities and competitions but include giving opportunity to expose artistic representation of its value creative minds.
“The monument reveals Lagosians dexterity in the game of football and projects our fitness and readiness for glory as it conveys vital sports education knowledge and the promotion of sports tourism in Lagos State,” The governor told the public at the commissioning.
Mr. Ade Odunfa, in explaining the creative genius behind the statue said: “football is a game every youth wants to engage in, hence this monument gives them the inspiration to pursue and express their soccer artistry and be committed to the beautiful game.”
He admonished Nigerians on the need to remain united and on the importance of football to this cause.
Photo: The Nation
