By Ayodele Oni
Ekiti State Government has started to unravel how the fund approved for the State contingent to the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State was misappropriated by yet to be identified officials.
Dissatisfied with the kits of the State representatives during the opening ceremony of the event, Governor Biodun Oyebanji had summoned the leader of the delegation, Mr Kunle Adeyemi, who is general manager of the state sports council.
Already, the General Manager has been grilled by the House of Assembly Committee on Sports headed by Idowu Odebunmi. The Committee also invited the Accountant General of the State to shed light on the actual amount released for the contingent.
The investigation was initiated to ensure accountability, transparency and adherence to standards in representing Ekiti State.
The General Manager, after answering questions put to him by the members of the Committee, apologized for the embarrassment caused to the State at the opening ceremony of the Sport Festival in Asaba and appealed that the Council would continue to do its best to move sports forward in Ekiti.
The Sport Council boss appreciated the Government of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for the support the Council is receiving from the Government all the time; stating that the money required for the Sport Festival was promptly approved by the Governor and the payment was made by the Accountant General less than 24 hours after submitting the approval.
The Committee Chairman, Odebunmi while speaking on behalf of other members, expressed the House dissatisfaction with the negligence of the sports council officials resulting in the misrepresentation of the state.
The Committee Chairman stated that the investigation would continue till a satisfactory conclusion is made and asked the General Manager to come back with all the senior officials of the Sport Council when they are back from the Sport Festival.
The Chairman stated that the report of the Committee would be submitted to the House after the conclusion of its investigation for further legislative action.
As the Assembly probe continues, Governor Oyebanji insisted that State officials deceived him after approving and collecting N20 million for the event.
The Governor revealed that he was deceived by the officials of the State Sports Council on the purchase of kits for the athletes representing the state at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba Delta.
According to the Governor, the officials presented him with quality kits preparatory to the tournament, but later opted for low quality wears, adding that decisive action would be taken on those involved in the whole arrangements.
“What happened was an embarrassment to us as a government and the people of Ekiti State. It occurred just because some people wanted to make money for themselves.
“They came with a proposal of N25 million, and I approved N20 million, but they didn’t procure the kits they were supposed to purchase. As a way of deception, they provided kits for me as the Governor to make it look as if they had done the right thing when they didn’t purchase for those kids who went to represent the state. We also learnt they didn’t get good hotel accommodation for the children.
“How can you take children to Delta and mess up the whole show? if we sack them now, some people will start pleading for them.
“I am saying this because if we want to clean up the system, the Governor and his cabinet alone cannot do it. Help us to plead with those in government to have the fear of God.
“I was shocked that someone who called himself a father could behave that way. Though, the children are doing well because I had to send a Psychologist to go and speak with them.”
