A protest broke out on Tuesday at the Cornelia Connelly College (CCC) camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, where athletes participating in the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) are lodged, as they demanded the payment of their allowances. The festival, which is set to conclude on Tuesday, witnessed tension as athletes refused to leave their camps over the non-payment of allowances, despite the closing ceremony being scheduled for the same day.
The protest stemmed from the athletes’ frustration over the lack of communication regarding the amount of money they were entitled to receive and the delay in the payment process. Reports indicate that the athletes locked the gate of their hostel, preventing anyone from either entering or leaving the premises. This action was a direct response to the perceived injustice and lack of transparency surrounding the payment of allowances for their participation in the festival.
The Niger Delta Sports Festival, a major sporting event aimed at promoting sports in the region, has seen significant participation, with over 4,000 athletes from various states across the Niger Delta region competing in different sports. However, the unresolved issue of allowance payments created a divide between the festival’s organizers and the athletes who had dedicated their time and energy to making the event successful.
The athletes voiced their dissatisfaction in interviews with news outlets, pointing out the lack of communication regarding the allowances and the fact that they were not informed about the exact amount they would receive. One athlete, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed frustration, stating, “This is very unfair on us. We’re the ones that made the festival possible; without us, there is no festival. We deserve to be treated better. We have families too. Imagine I am going back now; there is nothing to buy for my people at home. People are expecting more from us just because we participated in the event.”
The dissatisfaction among the athletes was compounded by poor living conditions in the camp. Despite enduring the conditions, some athletes mentioned hearing rumors that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the sponsor of the festival, had already provided money to a consultant to handle the payment. However, no payments had been made by the time the protest erupted, further fueling the anger of the athletes.
In response to the growing unrest, Sir Itiakor Ikpokpo, the Co-chairman of the Main Organising Committee for the festival, addressed the issue via phone. Ikpokpo, who is also the consultant for the festival through his company, Dunamis Icon, apologized to the athletes and explained that the delays in payments were due to issues with the Remita network system, which was being used to process the payments.
Ikpokpo assured the athletes that their allowances would be paid by the end of the day, stating, “Over 4,000 athletes are to be paid, and many states only submitted their account details yesterday. We are working hard to process these payments, and I assure you that everyone will be paid. At least six states will start receiving their payments today.”
He also clarified that the NDDC had made all necessary financial arrangements for the allowances, and the delay was purely due to the bank’s processing system. “The NDDC has made all necessary arrangements for the payment of allowances. The delay is due to the Remita network and the late submission of account details. Once the details are uploaded into the system, the payments will be processed, and the athletes will begin receiving their payments immediately,” he added.
The NDSF has been seen as an important event in the Niger Delta, not only for the promotion of sports but also as an opportunity for young athletes from the region to showcase their talents on a larger stage. However, the protest highlights the challenges faced by organizers in ensuring that athletes are compensated fairly and promptly for their efforts.
The festival, which has seen participants from a variety of sports including football, athletics, and volleyball, had its fair share of successes, but the unresolved payment issue cast a shadow over what was otherwise a well-organized event. As the athletes awaited payment, some questioned whether their participation in future events would be affected by the lack of clear communication and financial transparency from the organizers.
In the past, athletes have voiced concerns about the management of sporting events in Nigeria, citing delays in the payment of allowances and poor living conditions in camps. The Niger Delta Sports Festival, as one of the first major sporting events in the region, had the opportunity to set a new standard in the way athletes are treated. However, the unrest caused by the delay in allowance payments has led to disappointment and calls for better management of future events.
Despite the issues surrounding the payment delays, the NDSF still holds great significance for the region. The festival was conceived not just as a sporting competition, but as a means to bring together youths from different parts of the Niger Delta, fostering unity and promoting regional development through sports. However, the situation with the allowances serves as a reminder of the importance of proper planning and communication in organizing large-scale events.
As the day progressed, the festival organizers and athletes appeared to reach an understanding, with assurances that the payments would be completed shortly. Nevertheless, the protest remains a stark reminder of the challenges that continue to plague Nigerian sports events, particularly in terms of financial transparency and athlete welfare.
The incident also raises questions about the role of government agencies like the NDDC in ensuring that funds allocated for such events are distributed efficiently and on time. With the protest having been resolved, the athletes expressed hope that such issues would be avoided in the future, allowing the focus to remain on the sports and the development of young talent from the Niger Delta region.
The outcome of the protest and the resolution of the payment issue will likely serve as a case study for future sporting events in Nigeria, underlining the need for effective financial management, clear communication, and timely compensation for athletes who play an essential role in the success of such events.
