The National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State , was on Monday shut down over the Coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging the world.
Bode Durotoye, the Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the directive was from Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development.
Durotoye said that the facility would be re-opened to the public when the situation improves.
“I got the directive from the Minister this morning that we should shut down the National Stadium in Lagos temporarily in line with the Federal Government’s directive that all social gatherings should be suspended for now.’’
NAN reports that the Lagos State Government had directed that not more than 50 people should gather at any public place for now.
The liaison officer said that those steps were part of the governments’ initiatives to curtain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
He added that the office last Friday had issued notices to all the fitness clubs operating at the stadium not to use the facility from today (Monday) till further notice.
“I have asked my staff to ensure that the people using the stadium for sports and businesses comply with the directive.
“ I urge all the users of the stadium to stay away from the stadium for now.
“All the offices and businesses in the stadium are closed till further notice.
“As soon as the situation improves, the stadium will be re-opened for the use of the public,” Durotoye said.
NAN also reports that the Lagos State Sports Commission had shut it facilities for the same reason.
The usual early morning physical exercise and jogging had stopped in compliance with the directive by the Liaison office that Keep Fit Clubs operating at the stadium should stay off.
President Muhammadu Buhari had last week postponed the National Sports Festival slated for Edo.
Also, organisers of the various sporting events, including the National Football League matches, had suspended them till further notice as part of measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus.