Gov Abiodun approves payment of Ogun athletes’ allowances, N2.5m for gold medallists

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the immediate disbursement of allowances to athletes representing the state at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, in Abeokuta.

The directive comes in response to a protest staged on Wednesday morning by Team Ogun athletes at Babcock University, the Games Village.

Ogun state Athletes had blocked the main entrance, demanding the payment of their allowances, which they claimed had not been paid since the start of the festival.

The protest caused significant disruptions, stranding athletes and officials from other states.

 the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Tilewa Adebajo, confirmed that Governor Abiodun has given full approval for the payment of all outstanding allowances and a cash reward of N2.5 million for every gold medallist from Team Ogun.

The Governor has approved all the allowance payments. They are being fed daily, and allowances are paid weekly. This week’s payments will be made on Thursday and Friday,” Adebajo stated.

“Those who win gold medals are getting N2.5 million each. We are working through the necessary bureaucracy and authentication process to ensure prompt payment.”

Adebajo also revealed that the list of medal-winning athletes is being compiled to ensure that incentive payments are made swiftly and accurately.

“The Finance Commissioner and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports have confirmed that the first batch of verified athletes has already been paid, and payments are ongoing today and will continue tomorrow,” he added.