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Tag: Gbenga Daniel

  • Invest more in education, Daniel urges govt, others

    FORMER Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has urged all stakeholders to invest more in the Education sector to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

    He said this would lead to rapid transformation and development of the society and nation.

    Daniel spoke on Tuesday at the 40th Founder’s Day of Ososa Comprehensive High School, Ososa-Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The former governor lauded foremost industrialist, Adebola Adegunwa, for his intervention in the development of the school.

    Daniel, who was the chairman of the occasion, also urged other Nigerians to emulate the philanthropic gesture of the industrialist by assisting in the rehabilitation of infrastructure and development of schools in their areas.

    Adegunwa warned parents against abandoning the roles of building good characters in their children.

    The industrialist noted that “children are the real gratuities and pensions of parents at old age”.

    He said one of the ways to ensure a happy life at old age is to give quality education to one’s children.

    Adegunwa added that quality education would enhance children’s competence to care for their parents at old age.

    Read Also: Gbenga Daniel for minister!

    The industrialist said he was appalled by the state of the classrooms and decided to rehabilitate them.

    “I charge the parents to strive and give sound education to their wards. Also, good character is foundation in the development of these young adults. Without any doubt, school learning drives growth, but it does not strongly build character and values.

    “I have noticed that parents abandon their responsibilities and duties, but these are required to build good characters in their offspring. I implore you to make a change because those children are your gratuities and pensions during old age,” Adegunwa said.

    According to him, the school in his hometown will continue to enjoy his philanthropic gestures as he personally develops the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre.

    The philanthropist said the centre would also serve the needs of pupils from neighbouring Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) as well as the community.

    Global President of Ososa Comprehensive High School Old Students’ Association (OCOSA) Prof. Obatunde Bright Adetola, implored the pupils to draw motivation in the model of the old students who had distinguished themselves in their chosen careers.

     

  • OGD: we’ll Deliver

    The Chairman, Kresta Laurel Limited, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Tuesday said there is growing call for the development of critical infrastructure  in the country. He said Kresta Laurel is committed to delivering contracts awarded to it without any compromises.

    He spoke when the firm held its third edition of partners’ forum.

    Read Also: OGD’s insult on Ogun people

    Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, addressed  delays in  project delivery in the construction industry. He said the firm plans to form a consortium to develop a framework for best practices to support its effective operations.

    He said different factors  cause  project delay but with discipline, it can be controlled.

    Also speaking, the President, Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), Charles Akindayom said there should be sanctions for default on project delivery.

     

  • Gbenga Daniel for minister!

    AS ‘facts are emerging,’ so are events unfolding on the drama of last week involving former Ogun State governor and director-general of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

    OGD, as his admirers call him, shocked not a few last week when he renounced his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and quit partisan politics.

    Just as analysts and observers were wondering what could have happened came a report that he would join the All Progressives Congress (APC). His supporters, mostly women, thronged his palatial residence in Shagamu, wailing, rolling on the ground, cursing, vowing not to leave until he rescinded his decision to quit politics and lead them to the APC. Some, we were told, even held his legs, saying they would not let him go unless he agreed to take them to the APC. As a man of the people, he concurred. But less than 24 hours later came another statement saying that he was not APC-bound.

    Sentry immediately went in search of the real gist, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

    Before his appointment as the DG of the Atiku campaign organisation, Daniel’s political ambition was said to have been hurt when the PDP caved in to pressure from the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to change the zoning of the national chairmanship position of the party from the South West to the South-South, with Wike-backed Uche Secondus becoming the National Chairman of the party.

    While Daniel was still smarting from the injury inflicted on his plan for a shot at the chairmanship seat of PDP, and perhaps as a way of appeasing his bruised ego, he was offered an appointment as the DG of Atiku’s campaign organisation. On account of his appointment, he toured the length and breadth of the country campaigning vigorously for Atiku. But like a bolt from the blue, Atiku brought in the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as the de facto director-general of his campaign organisation, sidelining Daniel and re-designing his function. Saraki thus became the big boss and the all in all, so much so that even the disbursement of campaign funds was entirely his game.

    Although Daniel was far from being a happy man, he endured the situation in the hope that Atiku would win the presidential race and he (Daniel) would be compensated or appreciated. But the election came and it was President Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who emerged victorious. Daniel’s hope was thus dashed and his expectation of serving at the federal level, perhaps as a minister, became a pipe dream.

    It was in the foregoing circumstance that Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of APC in Ogun State (now governor-elect) offered Daniel a window of opportunity. The two are not only kinsmen from Remo land, they have been very close friends. Abiodun was reputed to be very close to Daniel while the latter held sway as Ogun State governor. To those who know how close they had been, it was not a surprise when Daniel publicly endorsed Abiodun and disowned Buruji Kashamu, the candidate of PDP.

    Read also: A paragraph for Daniel

    In the fight between Ladi Adebutu and Kashamu over the governorship ticket of the PDP in Ogun State, Daniel had supported Adebutu who, incidentally, was the candidate recognised by the party at the national level. But because of the crisis over who was the right candidate, Atiku skipped Ogun during his presidential campaign. That again infuriated Daniel who believed that Atiku should have stood by him and the candidate recognised by the party at the national level. What mattered the most at that point was principle, but Atiku was neither here nor there.

    Then came the carrot Abiodun allegedly dangled before Daniel, which became the joker upon which Daniel publicly endorsed him and eventually quit the PDP. Reliable sources told Sentry that the Ogun State governor-elect had promised to nominate Daniel for ministerial appointment. President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to run an all-inclusive government; the implication being that Daniel’s chances of ministerial appointment would be brighter if he is not in PDP.

    But tongues are already wagging in the state over Abiodun’s alleged promise of ministerial appointment to Daniel. Apart from the imbalance in the spread of appointments which such a gesture could cause, many are asking how Chief Olusegun Osoba and other party chieftains who worked hard for the party’s success would react to it.

  • Gbenga Daniel quits partisan politics?

    IN an elaborate letter to the chairman of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, announced he was quitting partisan politics. He cited a number of reasons, most of them bordering on his disenchantment with the division and acrimony within his party at the national and state levels. He then indicated his resolve to apply himself to charity work and other non-partisan vocations that would be of great benefit to the people. He  is of course at liberty to deploy his time as he deems fit. And if he wishes, he can still re-enter politics sometime in the future. But he must forgive the curiosity of those who wonder whether he would have retired from partisan politics had his party won the presidency.

    What is, however, far more important to the party is what his exit from partisan politics should connote. More than the mere act of abandoning partisan politics, Mr Daniel’s exit should sensitise his party to the urgent need to examine why they lost the election so woefully and whether they will not need to purge and reform their party — including introducing new faces into their party’s leadership cadre — if they are to stand any chance in the next set of elections. Paralysed by their defeat in 2015, and lacking the initiative to take tough and radical measures to reposition their party for the 2019 polls, the party sadly groped its way into the polls weeks ago only to be roundly beaten again.

    More politicians like Mr Daniel should relinquish their positions in the PDP in order to pave the way for a total overhaul of the party. They have their strengths and weaknesses. It is time they began to entrench those strengths and obliterate those weaknesses. Their chief nemesis, the ruling APC, has not been spectacular in government. If the ruling party will not again manage their successes well, and would prefer to entrench the divisiveness they have allowed to flourish for four years, the PDP may yet receive a welcome from exhausted electorate sick and tired of a party unable to summon the inspiration and imagination to put the country on a solid footing. If Mr Daniel’s exit instigates such positive, self-confident tremors within the PDP, and triggers the needed fundamental reforms required to lift the party from the doldrums, the next election cycle may yet prove immensely satisfying even to the most apathetic voter.

  • Gbenga Daniel quits PDP, partisan politics

    A former Governor of Ogun State and Director-General of Abubakar Atiku Campaign Organisation , Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Saturday announced his departure from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a letter he wrote to the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, he also informed of his decision to quit partisan politics.

    The letter, a soft copy of which was received by our reporter, specified that the resignation of the former governor who ruled Ogun state between 2003 and 2011, on the platform of the PDP, takes effect from March 14.

    During the just- concluded 2019 general election, Daniel also served as the Deputy Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (South).

    OGD’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, while confirming the development to The Nation, said :”Yes, the letter is from Otunba Gbenga Daniels.

    “He wrote the letter and it is true that he announced his exit from partisan politics”.

    The ex-governor had directed his supporters to vote for the All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Dapo Abiodun in the last governorship election in the state.

    “This is to inform you of my intention to resign from active and partisan politics with effect from today, the 14th day of March, 2019.

    “My decision in this regard is entirely personal to me and having served in various capacities, including as Governor of Ogun State.

    “I have resolved to immerse myself in some other vocations and take on some new challenges,” the letter reads in part.

    Giving an insight into what he intends to do afterwards, Daniel explained: “My decision to quit partisan politics notwithstanding, I have decided to rejuvenate my charity based organization, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF) which will literally continue to dispense succor to our people in need, address and assist in the areas of some of their health challenges. I also plan on resuscitation of the non-partisan Political Leadership Academy (POLA) which I established some years ago as a platform of political education to our citizens.”

    Hinting on some possible reasons for his decision to leave the PDP and shun partisan politics henceforth, the former PDP national chairmanship aspirant recalled: “Notwithstanding these widely acclaimed achievements however, our party, the People’s Democratic Party ran into trouble waters towards the end of our administration (about the year 2009) which led to the sad loss in the election of 2011, and regrettably ten (10) years after the party has been unable to resolve those internal disputes and challenges. Meanwhile, the PDP in Ogun State was confronted with a very difficult situation in matter of choice.

    Read Also: APC, PDP take INEC to task

    “Whereas the national leadership of our party, recognized one candidate for the 2019 election, by court pronouncements another candidate, and in compliance with those court orders, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized was on the INEC list.

    “The candidates recognised by INEC were not acceptable to the national leadership of the party.

    “Our situation was then compounded because the candidate which the court and INEC recognized and accepted as valid has also been expelled by the party. This was the dilemma we found ourself as we approached the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

    “Going forward, we have responded to the yearnings of our people and joined others in emplacing an administration that we believe will better serve the interests of our people than what currently exists. The rest they say is now history.

    “I must say that looking back, I do not have any regrets over that patriotic choice and decision, especially as several of our citizens, leaders and stakeholders in the state and outside have commended that singular action.

    “Many stakeholders within and outside Ogun State feel fulfilled, excited and grateful about our decision to join others in putting a stop to a regime that was believed to be against the collective and general welfare of our people.”

  • Kashamu our son, say Remo monarchs

    Monarchs in Remoland have described the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu as “a son of the soil”.

    Speaking in Sagamu on Wednesday when Kashamu visited the Remo Traditional Rulers-in-Council, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Ajayi expressed gratitude to the monarchs in Remoland for joining him to receive “our son”.

    He expressed hope when Kashamu gets to office he will not forget the traditional institution as promised.

    Oba Ajayi also commended the governorship candidate for giving priority to the issue of local government autonomy, adding that it was one issue dear to his heart.

    He added that they had been receiving other governorship candidates but this was an exception.

    “He is the only who has come with a policy document and a letter of undertaking so that we can hold him accountable should he depart from his promises.

    Read Also: Court to hear Kashamu extradition case March 8

    “I would like to appeal to all the Kabiyesi to please read the policy document, ” Oba Ajayi said

    Ewusi of Makun-Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya, commended Kashamu for the leadership traits and political maturity that he displayed on the 13th of January, 2019 when some hoodlums acting on the instructions of a member of the House of Representatives attacked his supporters and destroyed his campaign vehicles in Sagamu at the New Year/Thanksgiving Service of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.

    Oba Akinsanya prayed for Kashamu and asked God to make his aspiration a reality.

    The Onirolu of Irolu, His Royal Highness, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga and the Oludotun of Idotun-Ikene, His Royal Highness, Oba Odunayo Solarin, also took turns to pray for Kashamu’s success at the polls.

    Oba Ajayi presented to Kashamu the Remo Growth and Development Plan, which he said, is usually presented to “special people who stand a good chance of assuming leadership”.

    The plan, he added, was put together by the Remo Foundation.

  • Atiku under fire over ‘extravagant trip’ to Dubai

    The New Agenda for Positive Change, a civil society organization has taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for reportedly holding a strategy session with over 400 members of his team in Dubai, UAE.
    The Dubai meeting had in attendance, Atiku’s running mate, Peter Obi; the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
    Also in the meeting were ex-Ogun Governor, Gbenga Daniel; ex-aide to former President, Reno Omokri, Bayelsa East Senator, Ben Bruce among several others.
    Reacting, however, the group said the development was a sad reminder of Atiku’s extravagant lifestyle, elitist mindset to governance which his years out of government had Nigerians to forget.
    Raymond Clarke Amuna, President of the group, said the development was an indication to his dangerous tendency to hand Nigeria over to foreign interests, with Dubai being his latest preference.
    Amuna in the statement challenged the PDP candidate to explain to Nigerians how he intends to run a domestic-oriented economy for the masses with the kind of lavish lifestyle of taking his strategy team with over 400 members to Dubai.

    Read also: Atiku will reduce fuel price, says PDP

    He warned that a vote for Atiku would definitely signal a return to the era where even bottled water is imported into the country and Nigerians will again be conditioned to believe that only things that are foreign are good.
    According to him, “Each time Atiku Abubakar considers slinking to Dubai he should be mindful of how the opulence of the desert city warps his sense of proprietary. He has never returned from his Dubai trips lucid enough to accept the reality in Nigeria possibly because his guilty conscience pricks him to know that the PDP could have done better for Nigeria in its 16 years of misrule.
    “There are various exotic venues in Nigeria that he could have used and have members of his team spend money to boost the local economy but he decided to expend his N20 million annual income in ferrying Peter Obi, Secondus and other clowns in his circus to Dubai for the strategy session. It is therefore not surprising that his team issued the statement castigating the government for planning to use the proceeds of privatization to fund the national budget.
    “The first thing of note is that Atiku Abubakar, a onetime Vice President (1999 to 2007) and by default the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the time, was the originator of privatization or in layman’s term selling government owned enterprises, businesses and assets. It was under him that the chant of “government has no business in business” or “government is incapable of managing businesses” first gained ground and have remained a part of our collective psyche today.
    “This is why even as the nation continues to explore the diversification of its revenue source under President Muhammadu Buhari, people have been conditioned to the point that no one is thinking of creating enterprises that will address unemployment and revenue sources simultaneously.
    “Secondly, Atiku Abubakar spoke from experience. He is not sure that the national assets in question would be allocated to him and his cronies as it was done under his watch when he held sway over the privatization of most of the country’s assets.
    “He is therefore definitely waiting until such a time when he is certain that he can acquire the same assets for pittance. His media organization ranted on about how the assets to be sold were built by the PDP without being able to list a single one of them, which implies that the PDP candidate is claiming what he did not achieve.
    Furthermore, the PDP Presidential Candidate is unmindful of the reality that the proceeds will be managed differently from the 16 years that his party was in power. It is publicly known that even the small money for which national assets were sold under his watch ended up in individual’s pockets. He thinks that the current government will, like the PDP, steal the proceeds of privatization. But this is where he is wrong because he can see for himself that the remnant of the nation’s resources that were not looted by the government Atiku Abubakar served in and successive PDP government have been put to good use.”

  • Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate – Daniel

    The Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has given reasons why Mr. Peter Obi was picked as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar.

    The 57-year-old Obi was a former governor of Anambra State and a former Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc.

    In a statement on Friday, Daniel said Mr. Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need at this point in time.

    “This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity”, Daniel said.

    Born 19th July, 1961, Obi attended the Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

    The statement continued, “He is also a graduate of several international and national institutions such as the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Institute of Management, Switzerland, Kellogg Graduate School, Oxford University and Cambridge University.

    “In public service, he has led various divisions some of which includes: Member, Presidential Economic Management Team; Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, and the Governor of Anambra State.

    Read Also: Education is key, says Peter Obi

    “Peter Obi is an astute professional who has laid his footprints across the corporate world. He was the Chairman, Board of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC); former Chairman, Fidelity Bank PLC; former Chairman, Guardian Express Mortgage Bank; former Chairman, Future Views Securities; former Chairman, Paymaster Nigeria; former Chairman, Next International Nigeria; former Director, Guardian Express Bank PLC; former Director, Chams Nigeria PLC; former Director, Emerging Capital: former Director, Card Centre PLC.

    “He is a member of the British Institute of Directors (IOD), Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers and Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

  • We are ready for any challenge by APC – Atiku

    Responding to allegations that a grand plan was afoot by the government in power to rig the general election in 2019, including the presidential poll, former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku on Thursday said the opposition PDP was prepared and ready for any challenge that may come against it as the forthcoming general election is concerned

    Atiku, accompanied by his campaign director general, Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, and other supporters from across the country, was in Taraba State to solicit support for his presidential campaign.

    Governor Darius Ishaku and his deputy Haruna Manu, the Speaker Abel Peter Diah, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Victor Bala and other executives received the ex-VP at the Government House chamber in Jalingo.

    “I have come to formally place before you a request for you to support me emerge, not only as the candidate of our great party (PDP), but become the president of this country in 2019.

    “You know, if I become the president of Nigeria, it is as good as a Taraban is the president.

    Read Also: Atiku to announce bid for president July 21

    “I believe you will oblige to my request,” he said.

    Atiku, who hails from neighboring Adamawa State, said Taraba was, politically, his home even more than Adamawa State.

    He hailed Taraba for remaining a PDP State since 1999.

    “Taraba has maintained the party’s continuity, handing over from PDP to PDP. I urge you to continue to do PDP and support PDP,” he said

    He said he will restructure Nigeria if elected president.

    Atiku’s campaign Director General, Gbenga Daniel, urged Tarabans to support Atiku because he is their son.

    Daniel said whenever they are to bring a presidential candidate from the north, the candidate always comes from Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna, forgetting other states that are classified under the northern region.

    “This time the president should come from the northeast,” he said and asked Governor Ishaku and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe who are the only PDP states in the north, to lead the campaign for Atiku.

  • Between James Ibori and Gbenga Daniel

    SINCE his return to the country after his incarceration in the United Kingdom, Chief James Ibori, former governor of Delta State, would not leave any opportunity of integrating himself into the social and political circuits.

    He was among the dignitaries that graced the wedding of the Senate President’s daughter, the lavish birthday of billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya, the wedding of Orji Uzor Kalu’s daughter, as well as the close-knit, but grand marriage ceremony of Vice President Osinbajo’s daughter.

    In his usual past time, he showed up again at the private birthday bash of former Governor Daniel in his Lagos home last weekend. Both Ibori and Daniel are members of the People’s Democratic Party – as well as former governors on the platform of the political party in the same dispensation.