BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

This Monday, March 11, 2024 marks 66 years since the foundation laying ceremony of what is the first modern stadium in West Africa, the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan which has been renamed after the man behind its vision, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

However, the arena now lives on its glorious past having been long abandoned since its taking over by the Federal Government since 1976.  The national team last played at the once-pride of Africa stadium on July 9, 1983 in a 2-1 defeat of Togo in a Los Angeles ‘84 Olympic Games qualifying match.

On record, it was the the stadium that host Nigeria’s first floodlit match when the then Western Region team, Western Rovers beat Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea Bissau) 3-2 on October 11, 1960.

The then Western Region Government built the stadium to commemorate the region’s attainment of self-government. The  main bowl occupied 40 of 75 acres of hillside land, which rises gradually towards Northeast summit of the hill. The  stadium was built at a cost of £521,050. The government paid £38,000 for land acquisition and spent another £35,000 to construct the approach road to the stadium.

Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko who was minister in charge of Agriculture in Western Region conceived the idea of the stadium in 1957.

The government set up a committee of four ministers – Chief Akin-Deko (Agriculture), Mr. J O Adigun (Social Welfare), Chief J.O Oshuntokun (Lands and Housing) and Chief J O Adebiyi (Finance).

Others in the committee were three officials of the ministry of Works and two representatives of the athletics association – Chief J O Ajiwunmi and J B Ojo.

The design was done by chartered architect, JEK Harrison in consultation with Western Region’s Ministry of Works and Transport.

The construction work was carried out by direct labour of the ministry with Ove Arup and Partners as structural engineers and Nigerian Steel Construction Company as sub contractors.

The stadium was opened on September 30, 1960.

It hosted its first international match, a Ghana versus Mali semi final duel of the Kwame Nkrumah Cup on October 2, 1960.

Ghana won 5-1 and the Black Stars’ Aggrey Fynn who found the net after 15 minutes goes down the record book as the first scorer in a full international match at the then Liberty Stadium.

The pitch had an underground drainage to disperse heaviest rainstorm without any flooding. The good pitch was well nurtured by Joseph Ogunyemi, the first Nigerian ever to be trained and appointed stadium manager.

Prior to his appointment in December 1959, he had trained for 18 months at the White City Stadium in London, Wembley Stadium, and London University’s athletics ground.

He also attended a course in Paris and at Olympic Stadium, Berlin. His departure from the then Liberty Stadium coincided with the field turning brown due to aridity, encroachment of weeds and general neglect.