Ambode to Buhari: Give us National Theatre, Stadium

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider giving to the his government, custody of the National Theatre, Iganmu and the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The governor who made the appeal at a dinner in the president’s honour in Lagos also urged him to consider granting Lagos special status to enable it sustain its position as the driver of the nation’s economic growth.

Ambode said as President Buhari yielded to the state’s request to reconstruct the Oshodi/ airport road into a 10-lane worldclass road and transform the Presidential Lodge in Marina into a monument, there was also the need to cede the ownership and management of the National Stadium and the National Arts Theatre, to the state government to enable it revive them.

“These two edifices have been left to decay and our government is in the best position to revive them and make them viable again for the benefit of all Nigerians. This is not too much to ask but we are reassured that our president is a listening father who understands the yearnings of Lagosians,” Ambode said.

As part of his itinerary yesterday, the president was conducted round the Eko Atlantic City at the former Bar Beach. The city, according to Governor Ambode, is a billion-dollar project expected to accommodate over 150,000 residents and 250,000 workers and commuters daily.

President Buhari commended the initiative, describing it as one that would create jobs and boost Nigeria’s economy.

“I have just gone round to see the Eko Atlantic City. I’m impressed with the potential of this project and the amount of jobs and positive effect which this project is capable of having on the economy,” Buhari said.