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Nigeria as a Nation has witnessed a lot of sociopolitical developments prior and after her independence in 1960. Many notable Nigerians such as Nnamidi Azikiwe, Tafa Balewa, Amodu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo etc played appreciable roles towards making Nigeria the so called – Giant of Africa.
During the era of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the Premier of the defunct western region, the entire south western part of Nigeria witness tremendous growths and developments in the areas of Education, Agriculture, Health, Infrastructure and Human Capital Development to mention but a few.
Some of the notable / evergreen achievements of Baba Awolowo include but not limited to the following :
- Establishment of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife.
- Establishment of the University of Ibadan.
- Establishment of the first Television Station in Africa.
- Establishment of the numerous farm settlements.
- Establishment of Cocoa / Rubber plantations.
- The building of Cocoa House in Ibadan.
- Massive rural /urban developments
Introduction/practice of Free Education / Health policies
Surplus employments opportunities
Ensuring adequate security of lives and properties etc.
Fortunately, Chief Obafemi Awolowo hailed from Ogun east senatorial district of Ogun State.
The creation of Ogun State from the defunct western region in 1976 was another opportunity that yielded many blessings in terms of socioeconomic development for the good people of Ogun State.
Fortunately again, late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo who also hailed from Ogun east senatorial district became the first Executive Governor of Ogun State in 1979. The administration of Chief Onabanjo brought a lot of sociopolitical developments to the four walls of Ogun State
The Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago – Iwoye.
The Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
The Ogun State College of Education, now Tai Solarin College of Education, Ijagun
The General hospitals – Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro and Abeokuta
Many other landmarks achievements too numerous to mention were recommended during the succssful administration of Chief Onabanjo ( 1979 1983 / 1984)
The triumphant entry of Otunba Gbenga Daniel popularly called OGD into the politics of Ogun State in 1999 brought a great relief to the people of Ogun State who were then like other Nigerians just coming out of the long Military rules.
The Gateway Front Foundation, a non governmental organization and an initiative of OGD came with multimillion naira support programs for the vulnerable less privileged in the society.
Notable among the good gestures of the Gateway Front Foundation are provision of various empowerment schemes, micro – credit schemes, scholarship for indigent students etc.
YEYE Olufunke Daniel, the the spouse of Otunba Gbenga Daniel who later became the First Lady of Ogun State ( 2003 – 2011) played a very significant role in management of Gateway Front Foundation especially in the areas of women emancipation, family support, care for the aged /children and support for market women etc.
The Gateway Front Foundation is still actively on ground exercising it’s goals / objectives which has spanned over two decades unlike many other similar NGOs/Foundations that have gone underground alongside their promoters
Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) is the only Ogun State Governor ( dead or alive) who runs a living Foundation such as Gateway Front Foundation before and after living office as Executive Governor.
The eventual coming on board of His Excellency Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel (OGD) as the Executive Governor of Ogun State (2003 – 2011) was a dream come true and a blessing to the good people of Ogun State.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo believes in the politics of developments.
Like father like son anybody will say, Otunba Gbenga Daniel replicated almost everything done by Chief Awolowo the then Premier of the defunct western region.
Please check the following :
- Establishment of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun ( the first of it’s kind in Nigeria).
- Gateway international Stadium Ijebu Ode.
- International Stadium, Sagamu.
- NYSC permanent orientation camp, Sagamu.
- Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo.
- Gateway Industrial and Petrol- Gas Institute, Oni Ogun Waterside.
- Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade.
- Initiated the ongoing Ogun State Agro-Cargo Airport, Ilishan / Iperu.
-Sagamu International Market.
Sagamu Industrial Estate Corridors.
- Establishment of TRACE.
- Massive employment generation (OGD Teachers / Civil Servants)
- Initiated Olokola Free Trade Zone, Ogun Waterside.
- Ogere Trailer Park.
Many other evergreen achievements were also recorded in both Ogun Central and Ogun West parts of Ogun State during the succssful administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
Specifically, OGD built a four – bloc standard, all air conditioned Secretariat Complex for Ogun State Civil Servants at the Governor’s Office, Okemosan Abeokuta.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel was the first executive Governor to run a two-term uninterrupted administration since the creation Ogun State in 1976.
Fortunately also, Otunba Gbenga Daniel hails from Ogun east senatorial district.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel is now the APC Senatorial Candidate for Ogun east in the coming 2023. general elections.
The antidecents of Otunba Gbenga Daniel will play a very significant role towards ensuring his landslide victory during the coming election.
The good people of Ogun east senatorial district will surely reciprocate the various good gestures of OGD.
OGD as a Distinguished Senator come 2023, will surely facilitates rapid human, sociopolitical, socioeconomic and infrastructural developments of Ogun East.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel is a multitude in a singular form, he is loved / admired by all.
OGD is a great mentor / fantastic role model to many young/ upcoming political leaders in Ogun State in particular and Nigeria in general.
UP AWO ! UP OGD !!
Prince Taiwo Nodiru writes from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
