ABEOKUTA– Former Ogun state governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun has accused the Senator representing Ogun West senatorial district, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI). of ‘project diversion’.
In a press statement signed by Lanre Akinwale, media aide to Amosun, the former governor stated that the Ake Pavilion Project was done from his personal resources, and not a constituency project while in office.
He added that he was cut aback when a Library project, facilitated by Sen. Olamilekan Adeola had the inscription tagged, “Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and other Facilities, Ogun State”.
He therefore stressed that the inscription suggests that there is a budget in the Federal Appropriation for the Ake Pavilion project, which is being diverted to an entirely different project.
“Our attention has been drawn to a Library construction project at the Ewang Estate Extension, Abeokuta, facilitated by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI).
“However, the project board erected at the site of the Library project has a different inscription, tagged, “Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and other Facilities, Ogun State”.
“What this simply connotes is that there is a budget in the Federal Appropriation for the Ake Pavilion project, which is being diverted to an entirely different project. Otherwise, how could the facilitator of the Library project inscribe a narration, entirely different from what he facilitated?
“To set the record straight, the Library project in question has no connection to the ongoing construction of the Ake Pavilion project by Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The Ake Pavilion project is Senator Amosun’s gift to the entire people of Abeokuta, and it’s being single-handedly funded by him.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is only one Ake Pavilion Project, and it is located at the Ake Palace Ground, Abeokuta. The project was conceptualized and designed as a tourist attraction centre by Senator Ibikunle Amosun during the twilight of his administration as Governor in 2019.
“The actual construction of the multi-functional Ake Pavilion started in 2020, and the project was never part of his constituency projects when he served as Ogun Central Senator (2019-2023).
“The Ake Pavilion project, which is 95 percent completed, contains an impressive 3,000-capacity Amphitheatre with an open performance area of about 3,000sqm, 3 Nos Banquet Halls of varying capacities ranging from 100 to 500, a Museum area showcasing the history of the four quarters (sections) of Abeokuta with shops for artefacts, books, Adire, administrative blocks, and other facilities, all financed by Senator Ibikunle Amosun through his personal resources.
“While Senator Amosun welcomes the facilitation of Federal Government-funded projects to Ogun State, it is essential to ensure that such projects are done with sincerity and without misrepresenting facts.
“We advise Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to provide accurate information to the people of Ogun State, especially Abeokuta, regarding the Library project he facilitated to Ewang Estate Extension.
“Attached herewith are pictures of the project board as erected at the site of the Library project and the Ake Pavilion project as conceptualized and built by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for ease of reference”, the statement reads
