Residents and football enthusiasts in the Ikola Odunsi area of Ipaja, Lagos, have protested the alleged takeover of the Lolade grassroots football pitch, urging authorities to preserve the facility for youth development. The community claims the field, which has existed for more than 20 years, is being seized by Abiodun Jimoh Ejigbadero, the Chairman of the Oke-Odo Local Community Development Area (LCDA).
In a statement circulated across social media platforms, local youths described the development as an illegal takeover and warned prospective land buyers against purchasing or dealing in the property. They emphasized that the pitch has served as a vital recreational and sporting center for generations of young people in the community, playing a significant role in nurturing talents who have since occupied prominent positions in various sectors of society.
The youths recalled the origins of the field, noting that it was once a bushy, quiet, and almost forgotten piece of land. They credited a young man named Lolade with the vision to bring the youths of Ikola Odunsi together, leading to a collective effort to clear the bushes and transform the area into a space for evening football matches and social interaction.
“Sometimes, you pass through a place and all you see is a piece of land. But for those of us who know the story of Lolade’s Field at Ikola Odunsi, it is much more than that. It is a memory. It is a chapter of our youth. It is a part of who we became,” the statement read.
The community highlighted the emotional and developmental significance of the pitch, describing it as the place where childhood transitioned into adulthood and where lifelong friendships were formed. They noted that some of the talents discovered on the field have gone on to make names for themselves far beyond Ikola Odunsi and even beyond Nigeria, turning what was once an ordinary piece of land into a place where dreams took root.
The youths appealed to LCDA Chairman Ejigbadero to leave the football field untouched, stressing that it remains an important part of the community’s history. They also called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to intervene to ensure the field remains available for grassroots football and community recreation, preserving the space for future generations.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
