ABEOKUTA – Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has come under intense attack, criticism from angry residents of the state for donating the sum of N5million on winner of the controversial Big Brother Naija, Olamilekan Moshood Agbelesebioba otherwise known as Laycon.
Governor Abiodun had on Tuesday donated the cash reward and a 3-bedroom apartment to the BBNaija star when he hosted the music star.
The governor who said he was impressed with Laycon’s display while on the TV show, added that the star boy has demonstrated the Omoluabi component which is the primary ingredient of an Ogun state born Nigerian.
Abiodun therefore, appointed Laycon as youth ambassador of the state, promising that his administration would continue to unleash the creative energies of the youth and the generality of the people as innovators, academic, researchers, entertainers, creative artists in the public or private sector, formal or non-formal in and outside Ogun state for the continued development of the state.
The BBNaija show has received more condemnation from various section of Nigerians for promoting immorality among the youths.
But the governor’s gesture was condemned by some stakeholders, describing it as misplaced priority.
Some of the participants who spoke on various Media WhatsApp platforms frowned at the N5million donation, saying the government was insensitive despite owing the pensioners and civil servants backlogs of arrears and deductions.
Some of the comments are read below:
“??????? misplaced priority. Additional 5million to the 85 million. House again.”
“Celebration of vanity. This is why the focus of the youth is how to make quick money without an intellectual work.”
“Maybe the #5m will be collected back on the tax which the State Government had earlier requested from Laycon. Maybe the money and the House may not be up to the tax he will pay. Na, maybe I say o.”
“What a gesture! An Ambassador indeed. Wish the young man all the best though.”
“The scenario is like a talking drum…ibi to k’oju s’enikan ni o”
“What is the other perspective?”
“I hope our leaders are not stylishly encouraging youths to do anything doable to get to stardom… Hard Work Pays in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Hard Work no longer have bearing in today’s generation”
“I Know one day a “Yahoo Boy” will emerge as Special Adviser on Youth Affairs or another YOUTH AMBASSADOR.”
“It is well with our conscious and subconscious minds. Misplaced Priority. Ire oooooo”
“This is laughable and totally lacking in deep thinking and focus. A sad day for struggling Nigerian Youth. A situation where the state government is still owing the pensioners and civil servants backlogs of arrears and deductions. *Misplaced Priorities*”
“What do we now do to those ones that win academic laurels?”
Another participant who spoke from United Kingdom said, “So very insensitive Government led by a seemingly unconcerned Governor.
“I am a social worker based in UK running an orphanage here in Abeokuta for over a decade. I have been requesting for a bus to support the orphans under our care in the orphanage. It’s been all promises without performance since this administration in Ogun State came on board.
“We have a lots of other people not from Ogun State doing Great work in Ogun and the Government seldom support their good work, but could give 5m out with a bungalow just like that to someone whose finances are almost totally challengeless? Unbelievable.
“The bus I asked for is to serve as school bus for the children at the Gideon orphanage Home, as well to regularly convey to the infirmary, over 200 Aged in the same home.
“The deputy governor and First Lady visited and never got back to us, but they support this mundane thing with barefaced arrogance? very annoying and sincerely discouraging.”
