Written by:
Adegbenro Adebanjo
Abeokuta

GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, ILARO:

DANIEL DELIVERS ANOTHER FRUIT OF DEMOCRACY

The crowd was unprecedented and their excitement was palpable. They came from all walks of life to join in

the celebration of another unique milestone in the annals of Ogun State history. The date was Friday January

16, 2009 and the event was the official commissioning of the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro. Of course

the venue was the sprawling precinct of the magnificent stadium built by the administration of Otunba Gbenga

Daniel. The first thing that caught the attention of visitors and indigenes of Yewa who thronged the venue was the

beauty of the architectural masterpiece which will now serve as the venue for local, state, national and

international sporting activities. Those who should know describe the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro as

another big leap forward for sports development in the country.

Patrick Ekeji, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, describes it as a standard

International Stadium that is in line with the Federal Government facilities development programme. The former

international footballer says the Ilaro Stadium can conveniently host any first class sports competition. Because

of its International Standard, Ekeji projects that the new stadium would not be short of competitions. He

pledged that very soon the Stadium would begin to play host to International events and also serve as camping

venue for athletes going for competitions outside Nigeria.

Such regular competitions would of course have economic benefits. Indeed Austin Popo, a former international

and current Secretary General, Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria says the Gateway International

Stadium is a good example of how well to use taxpayers’ money for the benefit of the people. He says the

stadium would give the youths of the area opportunity to showcase their talents through sports. Dahiru Sadi,

who also played the round leather game some years back, also shares this position.

Already the Gateway International Stadium, Ilaro has become a veritable ground where skills are being horned

and future world-class athletes are being nurtured. On the day of the commissioning strapping youths from Ado

Odo High School and Army Day Secondary School, Owode showed a lot of promise in a football match that

thrilled the capacity crowd to the end. And by the time the athletes of the future took to the tartan tracks

everybody was convinced that the stadium would serve its purpose of grooming athletes for the greater glory

of Ogun State and Nigeria.

The import of the new stadium as another shining example of Governor Daniel’s Socio political and Economic

engineering savvy was not lost on many. Chief Sesan Soluade, the State’s first civilian deputy Governor who

served in the administration of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo says it is another testimony of Governor Daniel’s

equitable distribution of Dividends of Democracy across Ogun State. Yeye Olufunke Daniel, the Chairperson of

the Gateway Front Foundation, GFF, is also thrilled by the potentials of the Stadium and the benefits that will

accrue to the people. The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and the Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru

Adetona spoke in the same vein saying they were happy that such a facility has come to Yewaland.

That is just putting it succinctly. The Yewas couldn’t hold back their joy as they danced and poured Encomiums

on the man who has “demarginalised” Yewa in the scheme of things in Ogun State. Dr Tunji Otegbeye, elder

statesman, who is of Yewa stock says by building the stadium, Governor Gbenga Daniel has raised the status

of Yewa/Awori Senatorial District. The Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru who is also a distinguished

daughter of Yewaland described the commissioning as a milestone that further seals Governor Daniel’s position

as a man who keeps his promises.

Traditional Rulers from YEWA are also grateful for yet another landmark achievement under the Daniel

administration. They spoke through the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Olusola Gbadebo Oni, who is also the acting

paramount ruler of Yewaland. The traditional Ruler said Governor Daniel has given the entire Ogun West a

monumental gift that would lead to further economic and social development of the area.

For Governor Daniel, the construction and commissioning of the stadium, keys into the drive to secure the

future of the people of Ogun State through meaningful projects. Governor Daniel told the mammoth crowd that

provision of sporting infrastructure and support for sports men and women are deliberate policies of his

administration to combat poverty, jumpstart a slow economy and stem the tide of unemployment.

This is saying the obvious, through Sports, Governor Daniel has created many full time and part time

employment opportunities. The cities of Abeokuta, and Ijebu Ode, enjoyed tremendous economic boom in the

days leading to the hosting of the National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games 2006. Many people were

employed during the construction stages of the venues of the various events. Many support business that

sprang up at the time are still in existence. In Ilaro thousand of people were employed during the construction

of the Stadium. Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode and Ilaro have become cities where leading sportsmen and women from

within and outside the country converge for activities. The regular convergence has beneficial effects on the

Economy of the cities and of course the state in general. Sagamu will join the Sporting train very soon after the

completion of its own ultra modern International Stadium where construction work is progressing steadily.

To the YEWAS Governor Daniel deserves commendation for putting them on the world map of Sports. To

show their appreciation, the Governor was invested as the patron of Yewa Unity Games. The Sports loving

Governor was also conferred with the traditional title of Oganla of Yewaland while his amiable wife Yeye

Olufunke Daniel became the Yeye Oganla of Yewaland.

Ilaro and indeed Yewaland has earned its place in Nigeria Sporting History and calendar. The state’s soccer

team, Gateway Football Club now plays its premier league home matches on its beautiful pitch. Julius Berger of

Lagos also uses the world-class facilities in the stadium for its home matches. And given the pronouncement of

Patrick Ekeji, Gateway International Stadium Ilaro, in the heart of Yewaland, has joined the rank of venues for

international sporting events and camps for national athletes with all the attending social, economic and political

benefits. All because Governor Gbenga Daniel pursued his dream and delivered on his promises.

Adebanjo, a journalist, resides in Abeokuta.