I have tried as much as possible not to do this piece, but the more I try not to write it, the more the urge to write keep flooding my mind. Let me start from the outset that this pieces is not intended to pass judgment on anybody, neither is it put together to praise anyone. In fact, it is not in my brief to say either of these, and I believe no mortal has the judgment of another man in his hands. I'm not a politician and I don’t belong to any political party, I'm only a leader of a civil society group and a curious observer of belligerent posture of things in the Gateway State-my State of Origin.
To begin with, I know Ogun State like the back of my hands and I have also followed Otunba Gbenga Daniel's antecedent from the time Newswatch, the weekly news magazine did a story about in him in its 9th November, Edition 1989 (Page 33). The story was authored by Mr Sam Omatseye, who is currently with the Nations Newspaper. Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) was described in the pieces as a workaholic and an achiever to be noted. I also read about how he became the GM of Shroeder Limited at the age of 31 after receiving four promotions within a year in same company.
In 2003, when OGD came to power, his emergence was widely acknowledged as God's own answer to the prayer of Ogun State folks for visionary, amiable and people focus leadership. The truth of the matter at the time was, since the end of the Second Republic when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Aiyekoto) was Governor, Ogun State has never had it so nice in State administration with positive focus and agenda. There was endemic youth unemployment in the State. Services-social, cultural and economic had broken down. People were dying because of the deplorable state of our roads. Health sector was in a mess. In fact, by the order of Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NWC), the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode and School of Nursing &Midwifery were ordered to stop to be clinical area for any institutions and persons around the area!
This was why people of Ogun agitated for a true change and OGD was thought to be the desired Messiah. The battle OGD fought and won before he emerged as Governor, which led to the defeat of Chief Segun Osoba was not also an easy one. It was like the confrontation between Isreali's little David and Philistine's Goliath.
OGD began the transformation and the whole nation herald his achievements and within the space of four years, much could be credited to him. But today, many criticisms have trailed his immediate past government. We accused his government of many flaws; we say he's too arrogant and that he tried to inherit everything in the State. Whether these allegations are true or not, I cannot say, I can only talk on what I've seen- his achievements.
We forget easily and when someone offends us, we ignore those days he had been good to us. We have forgotten that we are all human and it's human to make mistake(s). As we are complex as human, so also we are flawed in nature. But what do we make of OGD's landmark achievements? Many of which are first of their kind in the history of the State and even the nation at large.
The amount he paid to unemployed graduates in the State through OGUGRAD scheme (which began in 2007), is a form of unemployment allowance which no government has attempted in the history of Nigerian democracy. OGEGEP created jobs and gave room for knowledge acquisition and thousands of indigent youths can now earn livelihood through the scheme. OGRUMED restored hopes to the dying just as OGROMA restored roads.
As an indigene of this great State called Ogun State, we can boast of four international markets in such places as Ajilete Owode, Yewa and Sagamu. There are now four international stadiums in all the four ethnic divisions in the State. Gateway University of Agriculture, Aiyetoro- first state-owned in Nigeria and Olusegun Obasanjo College of Engineering, Ibogun, also first state-owned in Nigeria are both products of the implementation of multi-campus system of Olabisi Onabanjo University. It is also interesting to mention that Tai Solarin Unversity of Education (TASUED), Ijebu Ode, remains the first in Nigeria and second in black Africa. The 4 ICT polytechnics in such places as Ijebu-Igbo, Igbesa, Sapade and Ibogun are all achievements of OGD administration.
Southwest Resources Centre, a wonder to behold, is a reference point for researchers and ICT compliant people in the State. The new NYSC orientation camp he built in Sagamu is one of the best in the nation. We can boast of 10 housing estates in Ogun State now as a result of OGD-led government. Nigeria Stock Exchange is in Ogun State and if my memory serves me right, I think Gateway Saving & Loans Limited now has another outlet in Ota. OSACA and OSAMCA aided the farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in no small measure.
In the heat of the transformation, former President Obasanjo was quoted to have said his dream for Ogun State has been turned into reality. The then former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar openly admitted that OGD has demonstrated outstanding resourcefulness, foresight and dogged determination! Prof. Wole Soyinka confirmed 'the various project embarked upon by Governor Daniel are too laudable and practical!' HID Awolowo said OGD has actualized her late husband's plans!
We have had sizeable number of our indigent students who studied in Northubria University, Coventry University, Queen Mary University in London, University of Central Lancashire and University of Birmingham, all on the State-sponsored Human Capital Development Scheme that OGD started. The first batch of which were about 30 students.
The question is, why sudden change of some Ogun leaders' view about OGD-led government? In spite of the several allegations against same man, the internet, especially the social media is awashed with his praise everyday. If a public office holder leaves office and 2 years after, he is still being celebrated, it means he had made a positive impact!
To me, his name would be mentioned when the history of this great State shall be written for he left it far better than he met it. Still, we must all be united to work together (both the leaders and followers) and be one again, for we have no place to call our own than the great Gateway State.
Long live Ogun State!
Long live Nigeria!!
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