TO honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo for the exemplary life he lived and the role he played in Nigerian politics, President Goodluck Jonathan Friday named the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State after the late sage.

This is coming 23 years after the death of the late politician.

Jonathan made the announcement during a courtesy call on Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, matriarch of the late sage, at her expansive country home, Ikenne, as part of activities marking his official visit to Ogun State.

The stadium was built during the tenure of the late politician as the premier of the defunct Western Region. Chief Awolowo was celebrated during his his life time and even in death for giving the region a head start in education.

Jonathan, who was accompanied by the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, pledged to continue Awolowo’s dreams and vision.

The President, who spotted the same Agbada, a Yoruba traditional dress with his host, Governor Daniel, started his speech with "Awo, the Voice of Wisdom; Awo, the Voice of Reason; Awo, the Voice of Courage".

Jonathan noted that late Awo started his political career early in life, saying that the main ambition of Awolowo in life was to improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

Also Friday, President Joinathan said that the gas project - Olokola Liquified Natural Gas [OKLNG] in Ogun State, will soon commence operation to enhance the nation’s access to refined and clean gas for domestic use and export.

The Petro-Chemical and gas project located in Ode-Omi, a rivering community in Ogun Waterside and jointly managed by the quartet of Shell Petroleum, British Gas, Chevron and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC], is targeted at shoring up Nigeria’s earning in gas as well as stimulate economic activities in the area.

Jonathan stated this in Sagamu while commissioning Gateway International Stadium built by the present administration.

He said effort was being made to ensure that a similar gas project - Brass Liquified Natural Gas [BLNG] in Bayelsa, his homestate, takes off soon.

"The Federal Government is working to see how OKLNG and Brass Liquified Natural Gas in Bayelsa will take off as soon as possible," he said.

The President, who arrived the stadium at about 3:25pm was received by the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonarinwo; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Salmot Makanjuola Badru and Ambassador Folake Marcus - Bello, among other dignitaries.

However, two persons, including Mr Wale Oduntan, Governor Daniel’s consultant on labour, fainted while waiting for the President at Sagamu Stadium and they had to be revived by medics attached to the Gateway Foundation Front ambulance.

Earlier, the President, who arrived Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 11:00am aboard Nigeria Airforce Jet marked 5NG FGT, and was received by House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, Industry and Commerce Minister, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, his Works counterpart, Senator Sanusi Dagash, Governor Gbenga Daniel and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr Femi Pedro.

He also commissioned a number of projects, including Rainbow 94.1 FM radio, owned by Dr. Alex Onabanjo.

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