Society Gists

What was meant to be a celebration of athletic excellence and economic empowerment for the people of Ogun State has quickly devolved into a scandalous display of government corruption and elite favoritism. The Dapo Abiodun-led administration is facing intense backlash after revelations surfaced that over N2 billion was allegedly allocated for the feeding and catering of athletes participating in the Gateway Games 2024, with zero benefits to local businesses or citizens.

According to verified documents and insider sources, the Ogun State Government is feeding athletes at a jaw-dropping cost of N11,000 per meal – a total of N33,000 per athlete per day. The figures are not only outrageous but also insultingly disconnected from the reality of most Ogun residents, many of whom struggle to afford a single meal daily.

But the scandal does not end there.

In a stunning twist, the contract for feeding the athletes was awarded to the catering department of Babcock University, a private religious institution owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church – an organization known for its strict vegetarian dietary rules that exclude meat and fish. This shocking choice raises a critical question: How can athletes, expected to compete at the highest level, be sustained on a restricted, non-protein-rich diet?

Even more damning is the fact that no local caterer or food vendor from Ogun State was reportedly engaged in the multimillion-naira feeding project. This is a betrayal of the very purpose of the National Sports Festival, which historically serves as a catalyst for local economic growth, especially for small and medium-scale businesses, artisans, vendors, and young entrepreneurs.

“This is a gross abuse of office and a missed opportunity to empower Ogun State citizens,” said a local caterer who requested anonymity. “We expected to benefit from this historic event. Instead, we are watching from the sidelines while a privileged few feast on our commonwealth.”

Critics argue that by outsourcing such a lucrative contract to a private religious institution with no ties to the local hospitality economy, the state government has effectively sidelined thousands of Ogun indigenes who could have been employed or engaged productively during the Games.

The Gateway Games was billed as a moment of pride, a chance for Ogun to shine and prosper. Instead, it has turned into a feeding frenzy — not for the athletes, but for a few well-connected individuals within the corridors of power.

Demands for Accountability

Civic groups and opposition voices are now calling for a full investigation into the feeding budget, demanding transparency on how contracts were awarded and insisting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) step in.

As the Games continue, athletes may be breaking records, but behind the scenes, a far greater theft is occurring — the looting of public trust and taxpayer money.

The people of Ogun deserve answers, not platitudes. They deserve benefits, not betrayal.

And they deserve a government that serves, not one that siphons.