Gbenga Daniel
Encyclopedia
Gbenga Daniel is a Nigerian politician
,and 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.
from 1969 to 1973, followed by studies at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the School of Engineering of the University of Lagos
.
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".
Daniel became a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He obtained a job with Schrouder (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.
He acquired the chiefly
title Otunba of the Egba
clan of the state during the course of his first term.
He was reelected in 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.
In August 2006, the website Elundu Reports published what it claimed to be evidence that Daniel had obtained two houses in London
after being sworn in as Governor.
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.
The Gateway International Stadium was a site of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
which was held in Nigeria.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
,and Governor of Ogun State
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in South-western Nigeria. It borders Lagos State to the South, Oyo and Osun states to the North, Ondo State to the east and the republic of Benin to the west. Abeokuta is the capital and largest city in the state...
of Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
since 29 May 2003. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
(PDP) and the owner of the Nigerian Compass
Nigerian Compass
The Nigerian Compass is a daily newspaper with National circulation in Nigeria, covering news, business, politics and sports. The paper has weekday and weekend editions....
, a daily newspaper.
Background
Daniel was born on the 6th April, 1956. He attended the Baptist Boys High School, AbeokutaAbeokuta
Abeokuta is the largest city and capital of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria and is situated at , on the Ogun River; 64 miles north of Lagos by railway, or 81 miles by water. As of 2005, Abeokuta and the surrounding area had a population of 593,140....
from 1969 to 1973, followed by studies at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the School of Engineering of the University of Lagos
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos - popularly known as Unilag - is a federal government university with a main campus located at Akoka, Yaba and a college of medicine located at Idi-Araba, all in Lagos, Lagos State, southern Nigeria...
.
His decision to study engineering was influenced by the brilliant engineer and teacher Ayodele Awojobi
Ayodele Awojobi
Ayodele Oluwatuminu Awojobi , also known by the nicknames "Dead Easy", "The Akoka Giant", and "Macbeth", was a Nigerian academic, author, inventor, social crusader and activist....
. Daniel spent much time with Awojobi, and was a winner on his television quiz show "Mastermind".
Daniel became a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He obtained a job with Schrouder (W.A.) Limited, Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, rising to Deputy Managing Director. In 1990 he founded Kresta Laurel, an engineering firm specializing in elevators, overhead travelling cranes and hoists.
Governor of Ogun State
Daniel was elected governor of Ogun State in April 2003, running on the PDP platform.He acquired the chiefly
Chieftain
Chieftain may refer to:The leader or head of a group:* a tribal chief or a village head.* a member of the 'House of chiefs'.* a captain, to which 'chieftain' is etymologically related.* Clan chief, the head of a Scottish clan....
title Otunba of the Egba
Egba
The Egba are a clan of the Yoruba people who live in western Nigeria. Many Egba live in the city of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State.- History :...
clan of the state during the course of his first term.
He was reelected in April 2007.
His April 2007 election was disputed by rival candidate Ibikunle Amosun
Ibikunle Amosun
Ibikunle Amosun is a Nigerian politician who was elected Senator for the Ogun Central district of Ogun State, Nigeria in April 2003. In April 2007 he made an unsuccessful bid to be elected governor of Ogun State...
of the All Nigeria People's Party
All Nigeria People's Party
The All Nigeria Peoples Party is a conservative political party in Nigeria. At the last legislative elections , the party won 27.0% of the popular vote and 92 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives and 27 out of 109 seats in the Senate...
(ANPP), but in August 2009 the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition.
In August 2006, the website Elundu Reports published what it claimed to be evidence that Daniel had obtained two houses in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
after being sworn in as Governor.
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.
The Gateway International Stadium was a site of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the thirteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria from October 24 to November 15, 2009.The tournament was won by Switzerland, beating 1-0 the host team, Nigeria...
which was held in Nigeria.
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).
In December 2008, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello
Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello
Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was elected as a Nigerian Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State in April 2007....
, 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.
In February 2009, Daniel authorized reduction of fees at the State-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic is a tertiary learning institution in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.The Ojere campus is in the South-Eastern part of Abeokuta, covering about 960 hectares of rolling land bounded by the Ogun River to the south....
to N7,000. This followed negotiations with the National Association of Nigeria Students after parents and students had protested recent increases to fees.
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.