On December 6, 2021, the Kwara Football Association, representing Green Wood LTD, led by A. U. Mustapha SAN and Mr. Jamila, requested approval from the Kwara State government, via the Kwara State Sports Commission, to replace the astroturf in the Main Bowl with natural grass and construct an additional natural grass pitch outside the main bowl.
This initiative was presented as a zero-cost project to the government to support Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq approved this request on April 19, 2022, facilitating the replacement of the astroturf with natural grass. Green Wood LTD managed this project and maintained the pitch for two years, coordinated by the FA Chairman, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa.
Recently, Green Wood LTD communicated through the Kwara FA that it could no longer continue maintaining the pitch. It’s essential to clarify that while Green Wood LTD was responsible for the pitch maintenance, this arrangement was strictly at zero cost to the government, as per their initial commitment.
The Kwara State Stadium is a public asset owned by the people of Kwara State, under the management of the government and overseen by the Kwara State Sports Commission. The Sports Commission facilitated the necessary approvals and has consistently played its caretaker role.
In response to claims made by the FA Chairman, it is pertinent to question the basis of any agreement between him and the Kwara United’s Chairman regarding the financial arrangements for pitch maintenance. The Sports Commission has no involvement in such agreements, and if any funds were exchanged between individuals, it falls outside the Commission’s purview.
Regarding allegations of improper financial conduct, including claims of payments into private accounts, the Commission firmly denies such practices. We challenge anyone to present concrete evidence of any such transactions. Misleading accusations without proper evidence carry severe repercussions.
A recent publication by an untrained journalist claimed that the FA Chairman accused the Kwara Sports Commission of collecting money while he handled the pitch maintenance. When asked via phone calls, the FA Chairman vehemently denied these statements and invoked a curse upon himself if found untrue. However, the truth has since surfaced that he did indeed make such statements.
My advice to the FA Chairman is to provide any agreement authorizing him to collect government funds or any documentation indicating that the company would construct the pitch while he would handle financial collections. Transparency is crucial, and any unauthorized financial dealings should be clarified and rectified.
To all gentlemen journalists, both within and outside the state, I urge you to adhere to the ethics of journalism by ensuring balanced and accurate reporting. Defamation and misinformation undermine the integrity of individuals and institutions and should be avoided at all costs.
For further clarification, all relevant documentation, including the aforementioned letters and approval records, are available for review. The Kwara State Sports Commission remains transparent and open to scrutiny by any interested party.
Signed,
Mallam Bola Adisa Mogaji
Executive Chairman,
Kwara State Sports Commission
