Library named after Saraki was ‘demolished to make way for an ICT centre’

The Ilorin West LGA, Kwara state, says a library named after Olusola Saraki, father of ex-Senate President Bukola, was demolished to make way for an ICT centre. 

The former senate president had accused the Kwara state government of carrying out the demolition.

But in a statement signed by Mukhtar AbdulGafar Omotosho, the chairman of the LGA’s transitional implementation committee (TIC), said the property had been in a state of disrepair over the years and was serving as a haven for criminal elements, thereby posing a threat to public safety.

He said since they came on board, they have received several public appeals to do something about the dilapidated structure to give it a face-lift and put it to good public use.

“It is against this background that we have saved up to rehabilitate the facility by making it an ICT Centre/e-Library for public use, especially in this age of information communication technology,” the statement reads.

“To begin this work, the old structure needed to give way, hence the demolition and packing of same that began last week.

“We wish to emphasise that this is a public facility owned by the Ilorin West Local Government. Naming it after the late politician was simply honorary.

“The local government recognises the need to give honour to whom it is due. The facility will retain the honorary name after the rehabilitation, just like we have other public facilities named after eminent Kwarans, late or alive.

“We do not see any need for anyone to play cheap politics with the action of the local government over its own property.”