A group of women, under the aegis of the National Caterers Association of Nigeria (NCAN) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, alleging that they were sidelined from catering contracts for the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2025,” scheduled to begin Friday.
The protesting women, who are from all parts of the country, claimed that they were initially enlisted by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to handle meal preparations for athletes and officials, but were later abandoned without notice.
Addressing newsmen during the protest, the National President of the association, Francisca Ojo, expressed deep disappointment over the alleged breach of agreement by organizers of the festival.
She said many of the caterers were widows and breadwinners who had travelled from various states, across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, in anticipation of fulfilling the contract.
“We submitted our profiles last year, followed every process, and were consistently assured by the LOC. As recently as last week, they contacted us again for details. We took that as confirmation and began transporting our foodstuff and equipment to Ogun State,” Ojo explained.
However, we learned that the contract had allegedly been awarded to Babcock University, sidelining the over 80 members present, with many others still en route to the state.
“This is our father’s land, and we are being denied. We are stranded. We have no funds to transport our goods back,” Ojo lamented, appealing directly to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene.
She debunking any claims of past service failures on the part of any member, stressing that “there was nothing like food poisoning, no bad food, and no cholera. We thank Baba Obasanjo, who initiated this programme and gave us the grace to care for our children through this job.
Another member, who identified herself as Feyi, said, “we applied, they acknowledged, and we still have our original documents.
But now we hear rumours the job has gone to someone else. That’s why we are calling out to Mr. Governor.”
According to the association, the State Commissioner addressed them briefly on Wednesday and urged patience, promising action—but nothing concrete has followed.
Addressing the protesters, who also visited the State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, assured them that their request will be communicated to the relevant organs of government for necessary actions.
He said, the Prince Dapo Abiodun- led administration is responsible and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people, stressing that the government would take necessary actions on the association's plea.
He enjoined the association to remain calm as government would intervene in addressing their requests, explaining that the Assembly only had responsibility of lawmaking and other oversight functions, but as the representatives of the people, it would always be ready to address the concerns from the populace.
All efforts to get the reaction of the State Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, proved abortive as calls made to his line was not answered as at the time of filling this report.
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