By Paul Erewuba
Following some interest groups’ scheming to stall the process of Lagos’ take over of the decayed National Stadium, Lagos, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club has thrown its weight behind Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, saying the restoration of the edifice will be in the interest of the Super Eagles and sports in general.
It would be recalled that the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung inspected the stadium, where Governor Ambode expressed confidence in the ability of Lagos State Government to transform it.
Speaking against this backdrop, National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Reverend Samuel Ikpea, said Lagos’ take over of the Stadium would be the best thing that will happen to the Super Eagles and sports in general.
Ikpea, who was the Club’s national secretary for 16 years before emerging chairman in a keenly contested election, said he had confidence in Governor Ambode’s ability to reform it.
“The National Stadium, Lagos has been abandoned for ‘donkey’ years. It is a thing of joy for the Supporters Club, because it has not been easy for us traveling to Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Abuja etc to support the Super Eagles.
“It will be very easy for us if the National Stadium, Lagos is put into use once again and the Super Eagles are made to base in Lagos as regards playing their international matches.
“It is pertinent to note that the Super Eagles do not have supporters elsewhere like they have it in Lagos. Not only that, the facilities would also be put in use and it will further develop our sports.”
Ikpea, who said there was no faction in the club, called on aggrieved members to repent and come back to the fold.
“We do not have factions as far as the Nigeria Football Supporters Club is concerned. In every organisation you have rules and regulations guiding them.
“We have no factions, but we have people who are involved in anti-club activities. And they have been sanctioned as far as the club is concerned.”
In Nigeria Supporters Club we are one big family.
And we’ve been together. But I must say that there is room for aggrieved sanctioned members to come back and be loyal”, he concluded.