- Succeeds In Dragging Atiku, Odegbami, Okocha, Taribo West Others To Ibadan, See Images
The official opening of the remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State on Wednesday turned out to be a day the dreams of the governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde, was realized.
The commissioning of the special project can best be described as an experience never to be forgotten by the people of the state.
PMParrot can report that as early as 8am, people thronged the Stadium complex to get to be part of the commissioning programme. However, most of them were turned back or they had it difficult to enter the complex.
Security operatives stationed at all the entry points were adamant. They turned back many insisting that they were carrying out ‘instructions from above’.
The event was kicked off around 6.15pm when former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku unveiled the plaque to mark the official opening of the complex.
Governor Seyi Makinde and his guests who all arrived the stadium in a bus later entered the main bowl to signal the beginning of the event.
He later joined the Team Ex-Shooting Stars (1994-1996) to play against Ex-Super Eagles that had the likes of Austin Okocha, Taribo West, Ike Shorounmu, Dimeji Lawal, Garba Lawal, Victor Ikpeba and others.
Some minutes into the match, Engineer Seyi Makinde was allowed to play a penalty kick earned by his team. After scoring the spot kick, he ‘removed himself’ and was replaced. The encounter ended a goal apiece.
Shortly after the end of this novelty match, rains started and it did not stop till the event ended.
It was while it was raining that goodwill speeches were delivered by Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki from Edo State, Olusegun Odegbami and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Shortly afterwards, Engr Makinde read his speech which saw him saluting General David Jemibewon for coming up with the dream of building the sporting complex.
The high point of the day’s programme was the international friendly football match between the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and the visiting NK Tabor Sezana from Slovakia.
After the energy sapping encounter on the waterlogged pitch, the Oluyole Warriors defeated their visitors by four goals to nil.
Some of the prominent faces at the grand opening of the stadium included former governors of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala, Ambassador Oladejo Arapaja, Chief Segun Odegbami, Mr Seye Oyeleye of DAWN Commission and several others.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi and Olawale Awe
