The Special Adviser, Public Communications and New Media at Ekiti State Government of Nigeria, Lere Olayinka on Monday shared about 16 pictures of Governor Ayodele Fayose, playing the ping-pong game, popularly called table tennis, at one of the remote streets in Ado-Ekiti; the state capital.
The Governor was practically showing his skills as ‘Oba Pako’ in the game, as he could not mind playing with a rickety bat made of plank and robber, on a very funny table which has two containers (Gorodom; as popular called in the local yoruba palance) as base.
The Governor was practically sweating it out with kids at Ekute Street and he did his best to show his skills in the game on that Sunday Evening. The Obvious is that Nigerian kids like tennis just like they throng for football and they play it always- if not every evening on week-days or at weekends.
It will not be inappropriate to say that the Governor also played the game on the street while growing up and it appeared it is hard for him to let go, inspite of his age, political and socio-economic status.
As much as a lot of people in Ekiti state and on the social media expressed likeness towards the Fayose’s gesture in identify with the street life and sports despite being the number one citizen in the state, the gesture has however some questions and criticisms.
“Is there anything wrong if the governor used his office to initiate a state developmental campaign on grassroots sport and table tenni?”
“I am proud of my Governor,,,, I like his street vibes.,” said another person(Name withheld) in an online post, but he added that “How i wish this Governor can understand that sport is now a big business with many transforming and socio-economic benefits for the state.”
In another comment somebody said, “Feel the pulse of the youths Mr. Gov and don’t use them to while away of your own time,”
“Gov. please give youth sport development a priority and you will tame restiveness and checkmate unemployment and attracts renowed sport investors to the state,” said another facebook user.
Denasohin Simeon Sonayon on his own comment said “All works without play make Jack a dull Boy! I belief he(Fayose) did it at his leisure hour.” And Saheed Adeyeni wrote, “I Just love this man…. So down to the earth.”
People’s post on the picture also generated some personal comments from journalists in the newsroom.
“The world would have reckoned more that Nigeria is a hub for sport talents, if only sports in the grassroot could be given the right attention by government and talent hunt stakeholders in Nigeria states,” said a sport journalist who shared view on the picture (Name withheld)
“Are our leaders truly love their grassroots,,, because it is not by going down on the street to while away your time but by realizing that investing in sport is key for community development.’
“The Governor is closer to the people, that is his natural self,” said Akintona Akin “but sincerity is key and knowing the right thing to do.”
