Caterers Protest Exclusion From Gateway Games as Widows, Breadwinners Plead for Governor’s Intervention
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that with just 24 hours to go before the highly anticipated Gateway Games 2025 kick off, the atmosphere around the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta is already charged, not with sporting excitement, but with frustration, tears, and the chants of dozens of caterers who say they have been unjustly excluded from participating in the event.
OTN News further reports that the protesters clad in aprons, headscarves, and protest placards, the mostly female members of the National Caterers Association of Nigeria gathered on Thursday at the stadium gates to decry what they described as a last-minute betrayal by the event’s Local Organising Committee (LOC).
OTN News gathered that the caterers alleged that despite following due process, their contracts to provide food for the games were abruptly sidelined with no explanation.
“This is our father’s land, and we are being denied,” said, Francisca Ojo, the association’s National President as her voice cracked with emotion.
She explained further, that they have traveled from across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, in anticipation of fulfilling the contract, adding that they brought along foodstuffs, equipment, but now they are stranded.
Ojo explained that the group, comprising over 80 caterers, many of whom are widows and primary breadwinners for their families, had submitted proposals for the catering contract last year.
According to her, they received verbal and written assurances from the LOC, including communications as recent as last week requesting final details.
“That was confirmation to us,” she said, they moved their goods and teams to Ogun, believing that the government would keep its word.
But instead, the caterers say they were stunned to learn that the entire catering contract had reportedly been awarded to Babcock University, a private institution, adding that no official notice was given to the association, nor were reasons provided for the sudden change.
Ojo, however, appealed directly to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene.
Furthermore, 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.”
However, according to the association, the State Commissioner addressed them briefly on Wednesday and urged patience, promising action, but nothing concrete has followed.
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