My Political Life​ – As Governor

My journey to serving as a governor

Otunba Daniel’s resolve to plough back into the society some of the abundance it has pleased God to endow him with, inspired him to go into public life. His entrée was the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF), a non-profit organisation through which has in the last few years impacted positively on the lives of many through humanitarian and charitable activities. It was the desire to further affect the lives of the people positively that made him to offer himself for elective office, in the position of Governor.

In his characteristic manner, Otunba Daniel ran a space-age, well-coordinated and intensive campaign, visiting in the process all the 236 wards in the State – the first seeker for office to do so in the history of Ogun State. During the gruelling campaign, he sold the message of change and hope. He came across to the electorate as a fresh and dynamic alternative to the existing but obviously tired power structure. The outcome was a resounding victory at the polls on April 19, 2003, a feat that has since been renewed with his overwhelming victory at the 2007 elections.

As Governor, Otunba Daniel has expectedly lived up to expectation by bringing positive innovation and productive dynamism into governance. In terms of people-oriented programmes it is widely acknowledged that Otunba Daniel is a trail-blazer who has restored hope, rehabilitated infrastructure, re-engineered institutions and firmly put in place an agenda of modernisation in Ogun State. Today, Ogun State has become the “investment destination of choice” not only in Nigeria but also on the West coast of Africa. Under Otunba Daniel’s administration, the nation’s Gateway State has become a shining model of good governance and development.

A partial listing of the landmark achievements of the Daniel administration include:

Road Rehabilitation

To date under the auspices of the Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA) over 2000 km stretch of roads have been rehabilitated all over the State. The dualisation of the Sagamu-Abeokuta remains a landmark achievement of this Administration.

Employment Generation as implemented by the Ogun State Employment Generation Programme (OGEGEP) which has in the past four years employed and/or empowered over 25,000 jobless people.

Agriculture and Resuscitation of Farm Settlements that were established by the administration of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo while new ones have been established. A project to cultivate the local Ofada rice commercially is now yielding fruit in addition to initiatives on cassava, cotton, sugar, and livestock.

ICT Revolution through the activation of the South West Resource Centre: This high capacity information technology resource centre is a state of the art facility designed for seminars, video conferencing and ICT education. In addition, ICT skills have been delivered to schools in Ogun State under a project called SchoolNet. Also the public service computerisation project (PS-Net) has been completed. Equally, the connection of all Government offices in Abeokuta through the State PABX project has been completed, and all offices can now make toll-free business calls to each other, thus reducing Government expense on telephone bills.

Investment Influx

An aggressive drive towards attracting foreign investors into the State has now started to yield good results with the establishment of three free trade zones (FTZs) in the State, the highest number in the Federation. An ultra modern Cargo Airport, strategically located trailer parks, as well as a deep sea port are now coming on stream. The biggest LNG plant yet in Nigeria (the OKLNG) is being developed in the vicinity of the new Deep Sea port at Olokola.

Tourism

By creatively utilising the rich cultural and natural heritage of the state, tourism development is being pursued through innovative projects like the renovation of Olumo Rock Abeokuta, the Monument of the Return in Ilaro and the Paradise beach resort in Laogo Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government, in addition to several other initiatives.

Rural Healthcare Programme

The Ogun State Rural Medical Scheme (OGRUMED) is an interventionist programme to address the glaring gaps in the availability of up-to-date secondary care at the grassroots. The Scheme has made quality healthcare available to the rural poor and hard to reach areas.

Sport Development

The administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel has raised the bar in sport development and administration in the last six years. He has built four international stadia across the major zones of Ogun State. One of such in Ijebu-Ode had been chosen to host the FIFA Under-seventeen Championship in October, 2009.The Games Village, which is an additional facility at the Ijebu Ode Stadium gives it a unique hue and edge over all other competing cities in Nigeria.