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Gbenga Daniel

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel
Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel (center), September 28, 2004
Governor of Ogun State
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 29, 2003
Preceded byOlusegun Osoba
Personal details
Born (1956-04-06) 6 April 1956 (age 68)

Otunba Gbenga Daniel (born 6 April 1956) is a Nigerian politician and the Governor of Ogun State of Nigeria since 29 May 2003. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the owner of the Nigerian Compass, a daily newspaper.[1]


Olugbenga Daniel was born on the 6th April, 1956. He attended the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta from 1969 to 1973, followed by studies at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the School of Engineering of the University of Lagos.[2] His decision to study engineering was influenced by the brilliant engineer and teacher Ayodele Awojobi. Daniel spent much time with Awojobi, and was a winner on his television quiz show "Mastermind".[3]

Background

Daniel was born on the 6th April, 1956. He attended the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta from 1969 to 1973, followed by studies at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the School of Engineering of the University of Lagos.[2] His decision to study engineering was influenced by the brilliant engineer and teacher Ayodele Awojobi. Daniel spent much time with Awojobi, and was a winner on his television quiz show "Mastermind".[4]

Daniel became a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He obtained a job with Metal Construction (W.A.) Limited, Lagos, rising to Deputy Managing Director. In 1990 he founded Kresta Laurel, an engineering firm specializing in elevators, overhead travelling cranes and hoists.[2]

Governor of Ogun State

Daniel was elected governor of Ogun State in April 2003, running on the PDP platform, and was reelected on April 2007. His April 2007 election was disputed by rival candidate Ibikunle Amosun of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), but in August 2009 the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition.[5]

In August 2006, the website Elundu Reports published what it claimed to be evidence that Daniel had obtained two houses in London after being appointed Governor.[6]

Daniel's achievements while in office include building roads, recreational centres and stadiums in the three senatorial districts of the state, and setting up a University of Education.[7] The Gateway International Stadium was a site of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was held in Nigeria.[8] In June 2009 he drew criticism for his proposal to float a N60bn bond for commercial developmental projects in the state, which was said to be contrary to his stated principles about the Public - Private Partnership (PPP).[9]

In December 2008, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, wrote a letter to Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro saying that Gbenga Daniel was after her life and calling for police action.[10] In February 2009, Daniel authorized reduction of fees at the State-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to N7,000. This followed negotiations with the National Association of Nigeria Students after parents and students had protested recent increases to fees.[11]

In July 2009, a scandal blew up with the publication in the Nigerian Compass of a photograph that allegedly showed Wale Alausa, a member of the state House of Assembly, taking a blood oath which the paper said was to ensure secrecy and unity of purpose in a bid to impeach Daniel. The Nigerian Compass is owned by Gbenga Daniel. Alausa said the pictures were real, but the blood oath was an oath of allegiance to Daniel, which he had taken at the governor's insistence.[12]

Background

Notes

  1. ^ Ogunbayo, Modupe (2009-07-05). "Oath-Taking Controversy in Ogun". Newswatch Magazine (Lagos). Newswatch Communications Limited. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  2. ^ a b c "Governor Olugbenga Daniel of Ogun State". Nigeria Governors Forum. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  3. ^ YINKA OLUJIMI, YEMI OGUNSOLA AND MUYIWA ADEYEMI (May 24 2003). "'I Disobeyed My Father To Go Into Politics'". Guardian. Retrieved 2009-12-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ YINKA OLUJIMI, YEMI OGUNSOLA AND MUYIWA ADEYEMI (May 24 2003). "'I Disobeyed My Father To Go Into Politics'". Guardian. Retrieved 2009-12-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Tribunal again upholds Gbenga Daniel's election". Business Day. 28 AUGUST 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Jonathan Elendu (26 August 2006). "Registry documents of Gbenga Daniel's homes". Elendu Reports. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  7. ^ REMI ADEFULU (August 26, 2009). "Daniel focused, undistracted by feud". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  8. ^ ADEGBENRO ADEBANJO (November 24, 2009). "Diplomacy, sports and Ogun State". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  9. ^ Shola Oyeyipo (June, 29 2009). "Opposition Fault Daniel Over N60bn Bond". Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 2009-12-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Ise-Oluwa Ige (6 December 2008). "Gbenga Daniel After My Life, Iyabo Obasanjo Cries Out". Vanguard. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  11. ^ Ademola Oni (February 10, 2009). "Moshood Abiola Poly slashes school fees". The Punch. Retrieved 2010-03-03.
  12. ^ Modupe Ogunbayo (05 July 2009). "Oath-Taking Controversy in Ogun". Newswatch. Retrieved 2009-12-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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