Didn’t Want To Take The Glory’ – Aide Speaks On Senator Adeola Yayi Redirecting Fund From Ex-Gov Amosun’s Project

The Media Adviser to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), Chief Kayode Odunaro, has responded to insinuations that his principal diverted a project meant for the renovation of Ake Pavilion to the construction of a library at Ewang Estate Extension in Abeokuta.

In a statement issued on March 31, Odunaro clarified that the project in question was not diverted but executed in line with the provisions of the budget as passed by the National Assembly. 

His response followed a statement by former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, titled “Construction of Ake Pavilion Project by Senator Ibikunle Amosun: Setting the Record Straight,” which implied that Senator Adeola facilitated a budgetary provision meant for the Ake Pavilion but redirected it elsewhere.

“For the records, there is no case of diversion of 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 wording ‘and other facilities, Ogun State’ shows that the project was NOT confined to Ake Pavilion alone,” Odunaro explained.

He elaborated that the project’s scope, as captured in the budget, allowed for other infrastructure projects in Ogun State, including roads, schools, and libraries, as determined by the implementing agency. 

According to Odunaro, Senator Adeola had included Ake Pavilion in the budget following appeals from concerned individuals in Egbaland who wanted the structure completed after years of stagnation. However, it was only after the budget was passed that Adeola learned the project was a personal initiative of Senator Amosun, who had pledged to complete it 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’s good gesture to his community,” Odunaro stated.

Instead of encroaching on Amosun’s project, Adeola, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, opted to construct a library at Ewang Estate Extension using the funds released for the project. Odunaro emphasized that the inscription at the site accurately reflected the approved budget, and any suggestion of misdirection was unfounded.

“It would have been otherwise if the signpost was placed at the Ake Pavilion under construction by Senator Amosun,” Odunaro added, dismissing attempts to stir controversy.

He further highlighted that Senator Adeola had facilitated similar educational development projects in Ijebu Ode and other parts of Ogun State, underscoring his commitment to the state’s progress.

With this clarification, Odunaro called for an end to debates, emphasizing that the project’s execution was in full compliance with legislative provisions and aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure in Ogun State