Some Nigerians are currently dragging Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on social media after revealing that he was in New York, the US to watch the finals of the US Open, a tennis tournament.
The governor, according to DailyInsiderNG, courted the anger of social media users on IG after uploading pictures of himself gracing the tournament. In a post on Monday, September 11, Makinde said he watched the winners “make history” at the tournament’s finals.
DAILY INSIDER notes that 19-year-old Coco Gauff’s day of destiny arrived as she came from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka and win the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York.
In the men’s category, Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic won the US Open on Sunday, September 10, defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to extend his record grand slam singles titles to 24.
The world No. 2 further cemented himself as one of the greatest tennis players ever – with Sunday’s win, he matches Margaret Court’s record for most all-time grand slam titles.
Makinde said he witnessed the great moment of history, describing the winners as embodiments of “hard work, focus and determination.”
“We watched 19-year-old Coco Gauff and 36-year-old Novak Djokovic make history at this year’s US Open Women and Men’s Championships. Coco’s rise has been slow but steady, whilst Djokovic has remained tenacious. They both represent hard work, focus and determination,” he said.
The governor also promised to “put in the work required to ensure that this happens.”
“Their wins reminded us that with hard work and a clear focus, Nigeria can achieve its full potential as we compete on the world stage. For us in Oyo State, our administration will continue to put in the work required to ensure that this happens,”he added.
The post, however, did not go well with Nigerians who asked the governor to “promote sports in Oyo state.”
“You flew from Nigeria to watch a tennis match in NY who pays for it? Nigerianpoliticians are something else. Smh,” Otunba Gogo wrote.
“I wish you could post Oyo State’s achievements in lawn tennis next time in your profile. How would you encourage the people you govern?” Sgrewdi wrote.
“A sitting governor is posting this. People are starving. Can’t go to work. Can’t pay school fees. Earning minimum wage when expenses have multiplied by 10. And I’m the governor is posting himself and his family at the US Open. A 19 year old won. Where are the 19 year olds in his state??? What are the opportunities for them?? And you see people in this chat praising him. I weep for my dear country. The matter tire me,” Poojah2 wrote.
Olarewaju Iyanuasele wrote: “Our roads are in bad shapes after being tampered with and people being deceived before and during election that roads are under construction, till now the roads are still not completely fixed. Yet, our governor is out there enjoying the life of his head go. We voted for competence in a younger person to kick out the old ones. Chai! No one is better, all these politicians are same. Abeg Sha do come help us fix these reckless and deadly roads SIR.”
Some Nigerians also praised the governor for taking time out of government to enjoy himself.
“I love when the government officials enjoying the state funds with their families outside their own country,” Mushin man wrote.
