- Chess player, Oladapo Adu, has told The said he’s been left to his fate by the Federal Government after he became stranded in Abidjan following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic
Chess player, Oladapo Adu, has told The said he’s been left to his fate by the Federal Government after he became stranded in Abidjan following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Adu has lived with strangers in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, since March 24, after embarking on a road trip from Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he represented the country at the Zone 4.2 individual chess competition.
Unable to connect a flight from Freetown to Lagos following the outbreak of the pandemic, Adu attempted to travel to Lagos by road, but was not allowed into Ghana at the Ivory-Coast/Ghana border, by Ghanaian police, and has found himself stuck in Abidjan for 11 weeks.
“His (Adu’s) name is actually number six on the list of those to be airlifted back to the country, but the process is in batches. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on that, just like every other Nigerian stranded over there,” media aide to the sports minister, John-Joshua Akanji said
But Adu, who emerged second at the seven-nation championship in Freetown, said he was yet to be contacted by the government about plans to airlift him to Nigeria from Abidjan.
He told The PUNCH, “I am still here and I have not heard from the government. This is very disheartening. Mrs (Abike) Dabiri told me to contact the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I already sent him two emails but no response.”
Meanwhile, some Facebook users have expressed their dissatisfaction over the poor treatment of the player by the government.
A Facebook user with the name Ifelayo Awosika said, “I weep for my country, isn’t this disgraceful to the nation and those who called themselves our leaders.”
“Nigeria, shame! Shame!! Shame!!! If you can’t support your athletes don’t frustrate their effort,” Oghenetega Oruade angrily wrote.
Shade Odeinde wrote, “Honestly, no word for the response of the Nigerian government. This should not be.”
“So horrible and disgraceful that this is happening to you representing your country. I cannot say what is on my mind here,” Joyce Dada said.
Reacting to the situation, Felix Omodunni said, “Nigeria na wa. When will things change? Sorry you had to go through this crap Dapo.”
Another user with the name Tony Stretch wrote, “What you will do outside the country and you will be encouraged but one will do it in Nigeria and you will be full of discouragement. I am tired of this country.”
Adebesin Adebayo wrote, “Never mind the Lord is with you I believe. But for those in charge there’s still room for repentance and do the right thing.”
