My attention has been drawn to the lies touted on a Facebook wall pertaining to ongoing renovation of Laro Middle School Osogbo. May God forgive you all for your combination of ignorance with a deliberate campaign of calumny against my person.

The renovation of Laro Middle School was initiated by me. First, I cited one of my 2012 MDG PROJECTS in that school; the building was erected and furnished in 2013. I was the only legislator to do this. Second, I was the Leader of Osun caucus in the National Assembly when the first round of rehabilitating Laro Middle School began. I was the one who insisted that Laro Middle School should receive our top Priority. My contribution towards that initial phase by far exceeded that of anyone. The following year, I was the only legislator who earmarked part of his zonal intervention funds for the continued renovation of that school. Having rehabilitated about two thirds of the buildings, I thought my job had been completed. Not at all!

I received visitations from a school Principal and a Parents Teachers Association that the premises of Laro MIDDLE school quarters three schools! As it turned out, the buildings at the back belong to the third school! They pleaded that I should facilitate the rehabilitation of that third school. I promised them that it would be my top priority for Budget year 2016. I have kept my promise.

The ongoing project at Laro comprises 45 classrooms from numerous blocks. Unfortunately, some of the work done earlier needed some minor repairs and painting. I have met the contractor only once and that was when I went to inspect the work being done. I pleaded with him to help repair such lapses at no extra cost. I also pleaded that the aesthetics of the entire campus must be made to blend so that we do not have eyesores in the end. The contractor declared that he had no such obligation. I pleaded and pleaded. In the end, he agreed that aesthetic matters. How does this constitute fraud?

In the same vein, I was the one who had earlier sought and got the Governor’s assistance for the fencing of Laro Middle School where efforts to retard erosion are also underway.

While this rehabilitation is on, other schools also being rehabilitated solely from my efforts include C.A.C. Grammar School Osogbo, Inisa Grammar School, Inisa, Oke Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji, Baptist High School Iree, Kiriji Memorial College Igbajo, Lagunle High School Oba Oke, St Stephen’s Middle School, Ora and OBOKUN High School Ilesa. Of course, I do have numerous other projects that I need not cite now. I seek no praise. But I plead not to be made the target of scurrilous and totally unfair campaigns because of dog-eat-dog politicking.