Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, has dismissed allegations of misappropriation of funds leveled against it by Tracka, an initiative of BudgIT Foundation, describing it as misleading and inaccurate.
A statement issued by Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Anyebe, and made available to the media by the Information Officer of the ministry, James Sani, clarified that no sum of ₦61,403,000.00 was released for the renovation or upgrading of the Confluence Stadium as published by Tracka and other media and social media platforms.
The Ministry further clarified that the sum of sixty-one million, four hundred and twenty-nine thousand naira (₦61,429,000.00), reflected in the Budget Implementation Report related to the sponsorship and participation of Kogi State athletes at the National Sports Festival held in Asaba, Delta State, in August 2024, and not for the renovation of the Confluence Stadium as falsely stated.
Accordingly, it stressed that the Ministry remains committed to transparency, accountability and responsible public service warning that it will not hesitate to pursue all lawful remedies available to protect its institutional integrity and reputation where false and misleading publications are made against it.
The statement reads “ The attention of the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has been drawn to a misleading publication by Tracka, an initiative of BudgIT Foundation, alleging that the sum of Sixty-One Million, Four Hundred and Three Thousand Naira (₦61,403,000.00) was released for the renovation and upgrading of the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, to FIFA standard, but that no corresponding renovation was carried out.
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Ordinarily, the Ministry would not have considered it necessary to respond to such unfounded claims. However, in view of the misleading nature of the publication and the need to protect the integrity of the Ministry and its officials, it has become imperative to set the records straight.
For the avoidance of doubt, Tracka had earlier written to the Ministry pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, requesting clarification on the alleged release of the said sum. In its request, Tracka claimed that the information was obtained from the Kogi State Budget Implementation Report for the First to Third Quarter of 2024 and further stated that, following a physical inspection of the Confluence Stadium, no renovation corresponding to the alleged expenditure was observed.
In line with the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, the request was duly considered and responded to within two days of its receipt.
The Ministry clearly and unequivocally informed Tracka that no sum of ₦61,403,000.00 was released for the renovation or upgrading of the Confluence Stadium.
The Ministry further clarified that the sum of Sixty-One Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Nine Thousand Naira (₦61,429,000.00) reflected in the Budget Implementation Report related to the sponsorship and participation of Kogi State athletes at the National Sports Festival held in Asaba, Delta State, in August 2024, and not for the renovation of the Confluence Stadium as falsely stated.
It is therefore surprising and regrettable that despite receiving this official clarification, Tracka proceeded to publish a report on its Facebook page, Sahara Reporters and other media and social media platforms, suggesting that the said sum was released for the renovation of the Confluence Stadium and that no renovation was carried out. The publication was also reportedly copied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other relevant bodies.
The Ministry considers this action as unfair, misleading and contrary to the principles of objectivity, balance and responsible civic engagement and indeed, a deliberate mischief.
By failing to acknowledge the Ministry’s official response, Tracka created the false impression that public funds appropriated to the Ministry had been misapplied or diverted. This is not only inaccurate, but also capable of eroding public confidence in the Ministry and unjustifiably impugning the integrity of public officers who have diligently discharged their statutory responsibilities.
The Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development wishes to state categorically that it welcomes constructive scrutiny of government activities and recognises the important role of civil society organisations in promoting transparency and accountability. However, such responsibility must be exercised with fairness, objectivity and respect for verifiable facts.
Having sought clarification from the Ministry and received a prompt and clear response, Tracka had a duty to present the true position to the public rather than proceed with a publication that ignored the facts already made available to it.
Consequently, the Ministry demands that Tracka immediately retract the false and misleading publication from all platforms under its control; publish a correction reflecting the Ministry’s clarification with the same prominence given to the original publication; tender a written apology to the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; and notify all agencies, media organisations and other recipients of the publication, including the EFCC, ICPC, Sahara Reporters and other platforms, that the Ministry had clarified the true position before the publication was made.
The Ministry remains committed to transparency, accountability and responsible public service. However, it will not hesitate to pursue all lawful remedies available to protect its institutional integrity and reputation where false and misleading publications are made against it.
The public is therefore, urged to disregard the said publication, as it does not represent the true position of facts.
The Organization is further expected to work to toe the path of truth and avoid being used by supposed enemies of the Ministry or its officials who are obviously committed to the Rebranding of Kogi State”.
