JAGISTS

The National  in Surulere, Lagos is wearing a new look after the football pitch was renovated for the first time in a decade, Saturday PUNCH reports.

Built in 1972 under the regime of General Yakubu Gowon, the sports arena hosted the 1973 African Games, as Nigeria emerged champions for the first time, before it hosted the 1980 AFCON, with the men’s football national team, then known as the Green Eagles, ruling Africa for the first time ever as well.

It was also one of the venues of the 1999 U-20 World Cup and then the 2000 AFCON co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.

However, both major events were the last that held there before theA Afterwards it became a venue for religious and social gatherings and was taken over by hoodlums popularly known as Area Boys, squatters, hawkers, prostitutes and bar operators.

But on Thursday, the National Stadium, Lagos pitch underwent rehabilitation with re-grassing of the main pitch, replacement of the scoreboard and vandalised cables restored, which ensures the facility is well lighted at night to enhance security.

In a statement by the ministry and made available to Saturday PUNCH, the minister assured that the work was almost at the completion stage.