The Ogun State Government has condemned the protest embarked upon by some of its athletes at the ongoing National Sports Festival, describing the action as regrettable and ill-timed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the protest was unjustified, given that the payment of allowances had already commenced as scheduled.
Akinmade stated that all necessary financial arrangements had been finalized ahead of Tuesday, adding that the aggrieved athletes might have acted without full knowledge of the government’s efforts.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply committed to the welfare and well-being of every athlete representing Ogun State,” Akinmade said. “There is absolutely no scenario under which the governor would permit our athletes to be abandoned or made to suffer.”
He noted that the few athletes who took to protest did so prematurely. “It was a clear case of impatience,” Akinmade added. “The allowances were already being disbursed when the protest erupted, and several athletes had begun receiving their payments via bank alerts.”
Describing the protest as “unfortunate and uncalled for,” the governor’s aide said it failed to reflect the impressive strides Ogun State had made in successfully hosting the National Sports Festival.
“In all fairness, the state has recorded outstanding success—from the colourful opening ceremony to the commendable showing of Team Ogun at the games,” he said.
He urged the athletes to remain focused and maintain discipline, stressing that the administration would never neglect its responsibilities.
“The values we uphold in Ogun State include discipline, patience, and excellence. We urge our athletes to emulate these virtues as true ambassadors of the state,” Akinmade concluded.
