Ogun Faults Athletes Protest Over Unpaid Allowances

Ogun State Government has faulted the protest by some athletes representing the state at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival over delayed allowances.

This is coming after the Team-Ogun Athletes were seen on Wednesday, blocking venues of various events ahead of today's games to compel the appropriate quarters to release their allowances already approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade in a statement, described the action of the athletes as regrettable.

Akinmade explained that the State Government expressed it's disappointment over the protest because it was inconsistent with the values and objectives the state upholds.

He added that the athletes acted out of impatience, as all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the payment of their allowances on Tuesday.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply sensitive and committed to the welfare of all participants at the festival. There is no circumstance under which he would allow Ogun athletes to suffer or be neglected.

“The protest earlier today by a few athletes is not only unfortunate but also uncalled for. It stands in stark contrast to the immense success the state has recorded in hosting the festival—from the grand opening ceremony to the impressive performance of Team Ogun,”

“Those who protested did so in error. It was a clear case of impatience,” he concluded.

Akinmade, however, said the payment of allowances had already commenced, with athletes receiving bank alerts as scheduled.