In a shocking turn of events at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Ogun State, Nigerian athletes were forced to compete in near-total darkness after a sudden power outage struck the newly renovated MKO Abiola Stadium on Friday evening.
Spectators and athletes were left stunned as the floodlights unexpectedly went off mid-race, plunging the stadium into darkness during a key track event. Despite the blackout, some determined athletes continued running, guided only by flashes from mobile phone lights and the distant glow from nearby streets.
Videos of the bizarre moment quickly surfaced online, drawing outrage from Nigerians nationwide. Many criticized the Ogun State government and the stadium management for failing to ensure a stable power supply during a nationally televised sporting event.
Also Read: Until Atiku Fixes the Power Problem He Helped Create, Nigerians Will Keep Rejecting Him
“This is embarrassing,” tweeted one angry fan. “After billions were spent on renovations, we’re still running in darkness. What message are we sending to the world?”
The stadium, which recently underwent a high-profile renovation ahead of the 2025 National Sports Festival, was expected to showcase Nigeria’s commitment to sports development. However, Friday’s incident has instead raised questions about project quality, oversight, and the country’s chronic power problems.
Athletes, officials, and fans were eventually evacuated from the stadium, and several evening events were postponed. As of press time, no official statement has been released by the festival’s organizing committee or the Ogun State Ministry of Sports.
Calls for an investigation are mounting, with civil society groups demanding accountability over the millions reportedly spent on the stadium upgrade.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Join the conversation by leaving a comment below. Keep it respectful, relevant, and on-topic - we love hearing from our readers!