Femi Atoyebi
28 September 2008
Yamousoukro — It started with a prolonged journey from Nigeria to Yamousoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, which lasted three days. Earlier, there was a minor unrest from the student athletes over their allowances before departure, and when the issue re-appeared on the eve of the Games' commencement at the Institute Nationale Polytechnique, it was obvious that drastic measures had to be taken before the nation's image was smeared. Secretary General of West Africa Polytechnics Games Association, Mr. Femi Abdulraheem, who addressed the student's worries yesterday explained that the delay in arrival of the Nigerian contingents, coupled with the student's agitations were envisaged and was managed in the best possible way.
"The minor hitches experienced in Nigeria were due to lack of information and perhaps misinformation because most of the schools arrived the departure venue late. Hence, there was no time to dish out the needed information.
There are more than thirty (30) polytechnics from Nigeria and having made the effort to bring in such a large contingent, it was expected that there would be challenges. The issue of allowance, which was at the centre of the unrest has been resolved.
"The problem we had at Benin Republic is understandable and we appreciate the contingents' patience. According to the Benin officials, there would be panic if about forty (40) long buses drove through their country with about one thousand three hundred 1(,300) people on board.
They had to provide escort that led them through and that was the reason why there was a delay. The heads of the Nigerian contingents met on arrival, where we spelt out how much the Nigerian government gave us and how much is due to the athletes and official. We did not threaten any institution with withdrawal. Whatever allowance given will not involve feeding and accommodation as they have been taken care of."
The game is well attended with twenty seven (27) Nigerian officials arriving Abidjan Friday night. It is led by Special Adviser to the honourable minister of education, Dr. Henry Adaba. More than 20 rectors of Nigerian polytechnics have also arrived. While speaking on the shift in the opening ceremony, he said the Ivorian president's availability is necessary, explaining that his itinerary was responsible.
"We had earlier scheduled the opening ceremony for Saturday but it will now come up on Monday between 6:30 pm and 10:30 pm. The change in date was necessary because of the Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo's expected presence. There are about three thousand participants here present, including athletes numbering two thousand one hundred and fifty."
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