Why we embarked on Ayefele’s Music House reconstruction – Oyo govt

The Oyo State Government has explained its role in ongoing
reconstruction of the façade of the Music House, owned by the gospel
musician, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, which was partially demolished in August,
this year.

Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Communication and
Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, said its intervention was informed by the
acknowledgement of contravention of the state building code by the
management of the Music House and the personal appeal by Ayefele to
the Governor.

Tunji also explained that the appeal by various stakeholders to the
state government, as well as the preparedness of the owner of the
building to rectify the contraventions, which would involve the
reduction of the frontage fence line by 1.5m, among others, informed
the intervention by the Governor.

He added that the parking lots at the tail end of the building close
to the entrance of Lagelu Estate had also been reduced by 10.9m to
allow for visibility.

The Special Adviser said that the current frontage of the building was
being remodeled to become the back of the building, while the current
back of the building had been converted to the frontage.

In line with the recommendation of the joint committee of the state
government and the Music House management, he said that an entrance
was being reconstructed from the rear of the building to the staircase
housing the ram for the exclusive use of Ayefele.

He added, "There is also the recession of the current façade on the
frontage of the building by 2.9m. The new fence will be grill fence to
ensure visibility, while a staircase will be built at the basement to
access the studio.

"The structural elements in the building will also be strengthened,
while the two projections at both ends (stair halls) of the current
frontage will be retained."

Tunji advised those seeking to rubbish the political capital built by
the Governor in the past seven years through purposeful governance and
unprecedented achievements to look elsewhere.

He added, "Following Mr Ayefele's admittance of breach of procedures
in the construction of the building and his subsequent apologies, as
well as intervention of well-meaning members of the public, the
governor agreed to temper justice with mercy.

"The governor's approval on the reconciliation of the issue was
communicated to Mr Ayefele on October 19, 2018, where His Excellency
also approved the assistance on the reconciliation agreed upon on
compassionate grounds, as he earlier promised publicly.

"It is necessary to put it on records that the governor or the state
government was not out to witch-hunt the popular musician or anybody,
but had acted to safeguard members of the public who daily ply the
roads contiguous to the Music House."