Edo Sex Workers Lament Over Postponement Of National Sports Festival

The recent postponement of the 20th National Sports Festival billed for Benin City, Edo State by the Presidency over the outbreak of Corona Virus has devastated sex workers in the state

Chairperson, Edo State chapter, Association of Prostitute of Nigeria (APN), Madam O. Jessica stated this in an exclusive interview with Daily Dispatch on Thursday in Benin city, stating that the postponement would cause economic hardship on her members, who had prepared rigorously for the event.

The festival which was earlier scheduled to feature over ten thousand athletes and officials should have commenced from this Sunday, March 22nd through April 1st, 2020 across various centres at the capital city.

She lamented that having done all the necessary documentation and accreditation for the biennial sports fiesta, they were dazed, perplexed to hear the news on radio that their expectations were cut short by the announcement.

“It was very sad to have learnt about the postponement of the sports festival by the Presidency due to the Corona virus outbreak that is spreading like wildfire across the globe.

“Though the step was a welcome development at least lives are more important than anything else. We are in support of the government decision to shift the event to yet to be decided date.”

She recalled that they had already partnered with the relevant security agencies to forestall any acts that could bring the pedigree of the state into disrepute by those who are not their members.

“With the large turnout of athletes, officials and other stakeholders participating at the event, we are ready to accommodate and give better services to our customers at affordable charges.

“Before now, all arrangements have been put in place to ensure hitch free, we have set up monitoring task force to checkmate the influx of rogues who might want to use the event to perpetrate evil.

“We have our members data for the festival, but we are not leaving any stone unturn to checkmate those who are not our members that might want to do otherwise.

“We have set up a monitoring task force headed by our financial secretary and we already received the backing of the security agencies in case of any eventuality by those who are not our members.

“By this, the Association is taking the aspect of security of customers and our members seriously, because Edo is known as a home of hospitality. We will give better service like never before.

“We were able to satisfy our customers during the National Festival of Arts hosted in the city late last year,” she said.