PRESS STATEMENT
NO DIVERSION INVOLVED IN AKE PAVILION AND LIBRARY PROJECT IN ABEOKUTA-SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI
The attention of Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West) and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations has been drawn to a statement by Senator Ibikunle Amosun titled “ Construction of Ake Pavilion Project by Senator Ibikunle Amosun: Setting the Record Straight”, where it was implied that Senator Adeola diverted a project he facilitated for the renovation of Ake Pavilion to the construction of a Library at Ewang Estate Extension in Abeokuta.
For the records, there is no case of diversion of the project as insinuated based on the inscription on the signpost at the completed Library project. As stated in the statement of Senator Amosun, the inscription on the project is “Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and Other Facilities, Ogun State”. For those not conversant with budgetary terminologies the wordings “and other facilities, Ogun State” shows that the project was NOT confined to Ake Pavilion alone. Indeed, it could include the construction of roads, schools, libraries, etc in Ogun state as determined by the implementing agency and facilitator of the project in the budget based on the availability of funds.
There was indeed, a budget inclusion for the renovation of Ake Pavilion following appeals to Senator Adeola from well-meaning sons and daughters of Egbaland to complete the project that was seemingly abandoned for a period. What was not made known to Senator Adeola at the point of appeals was the fact that this was a personal project of Senator Amosun and his pledge to complete it in due course using his resources.
On realization of the involvement of Senator Amosun and the budget having been passed as stated in the project title, Senator Adeola shied away from taking any glory from Senator Amosun good gesture to his community and in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development decided on the construction of a Library in Ewang Estate Extension with the available funds released for the project.
Finally, there is nothing untoward in the inscription at the Library as that is what is contained in the ministry’s budget that was used to fund the project. It would have been otherwise if the signpost was placed at the Ake Pavilion under construction by Senator Amosun.
There is no need for wiping up controversy on what is meant for educational development of Ogun State as Senator Adeola has facilitated similar projects at Ijebu Ode and elsewhere in Ogun state.
Signed:
Chief Kayode Odunaro
Media Adviser to Senator Adeola
31st March, 2025
