Friday, 13 December, 2024, another day of glory for the Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Honourable Rasaq Olusola Ajala at the prestigious MUSON Centre in the heart of Lagos.

It was the day the General Secretary of Conference 57, umbrella organisation for Council Chairmen in Lagos State bagged the Shinning Star Award for Grassroots Governance presented to him by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

It was the Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA 2024) and the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre was packed full.

At the event on that day, Ajala was the cynosure of eyes as the entire council management led by the Council Manager, Pastor (Mrs) Folake Otenaike; and the Treasurer, Mr Mujitaba Rufai-Karounwi were on hand to felicitate with him.

Ajala’s amiable but ever humble wife, Alhaja Muheebah Kehinde Ajala, was also on hand to ensure that everything went well in terms of reception for the guests.

The political class led by the Council’s Vice Chairman, Seyi Jakande; the Chairman of the Council’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Tunde Kazeem (TUNKAZ); the Secretary to the Local Government, Alhaji Mujeeb Daramola; and the Supervisor for Health Services, Honourable Nureni Ogunbona were present.

The elected councillors were led by the Leader of the Legislative Arm of the Council, Honourable Rilwan Ajenifuja were also on hand to felicitate with their Chairman.

The award was presented to the Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA Chairman by his teacher and mentor, Pastor (Dr) Peter Ogudero.

The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NIPR, Mrs Comfort Obot Nwankwo, described Ajala as an astute grassroots politician who is well connected with his people.

“He is a man of the people, always in their midst and his programmes have always centred on improving their standard of living and enhancing their welfare,” she said.

An elated Ajala, while responding after the presentation of the award, expressed gratitude to the organisers which he described as a recognition from the homefront, “because I’m also a member of the NIPR”.

He assured the organisers and the people of his council that rather than rest on his oars with the award, he will continue to do more to enhance their welfare.

“The reward for hard work is more work and I want to assure you all that we will not rest on our oars with this award.

“This is an award won via collective team work hence I’m dedicating it to the elected, appointed, management and staff of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA and more, to the people of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA,” he said

In the archives of The Guardian newspaper, a publication dated February 29, 1988, reveals a fascinating story of a young and ambitious businessman, Mr. Gbenga Daniel. At the time, Daniel was the General Manager of H.F-Schroeder (W.A) Limited, a company that distributed Express and Sabiem lifts, Demag cranes, and Hoists.

The article highlights Daniel’s business acumen and strategic vision as he embarked on a European tour to explore new business opportunities. His itinerary included meetings with officials from Express Lift Company Limited in Northampton, Morganite International Limited in London, and Onan International in Peterborough.

Little did anyone know that this young businessman would go on to achieve greatness in multiple fields. After leaving Schroeder, Daniel established his own company, Kresta Laurel Ltd which became the first indigenous lift company in Nigeria. This bold move marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would take him to the pinnacle of success.

Today, Mr. Gbenga Daniel is known as Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), a renowned politician who has made an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape. A two-time governor of Ogun State, OGD has consistently demonstrated his commitment to public service and his ability to drive positive change.

Currently, OGD serves as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the good people of Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly. His dedication to his constituents and his passion for nation-building have earned him a reputation as a respected and effective leader.

As we reflect on OGD’s remarkable journey, we are reminded that success is often the result of hard work, determination, and a willingness to take calculated risks. From his humble beginnings as a young businessman to his current status as a respected politician, Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s story is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and leadership

The attention of the OGD Media Office has been drawn to an unsigned statement by a yet to be identified aide of the Governor of Ogun State purporting to disprove a claim on the construction of a road in the Ijebu Ode in the Ogun East Senatorial District.

Apart from the inaccuracy of such disclaimer by the Governor’s aide which have since been corrected, we wish to remind our people that the primary assignment of His Exc The Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is to make laws that positively speak to the challenges and requirements of our people, a role he had left no stone unturned to deliver on in all ramifications. This is in addition to oversight functions of various agencies assigned to him through various Senate committees that he belongs to.

We need to put this on records, that apart from a few community projects assigned to Lawmakers in oversight capacities, the responsibility for the construction of most of the roads in Ogun state is that of the Government of Ogun state which has all the resources and machinery to do the needful.
The role of the Lawmaker can only be complementary and not competitive.

This notwithstanding, the office of the Senator is constantly bombarded with dozens of petitions and appeals from the people of Ogun East Senatorial District for the adoption of some of these roads that have not benefitted from the State Government’s intervention, as Constituency projects, and as a responsible representative of the the people and also a member of the Senate Committee on Works and other similar agencies, The Senator and other Members of the House of Representatives in the Ogun East have been utilising their best of efforts and networking to facilitate many road works to complement the efforts of the State Government.

Some of the interventions on roads include but not limited to the:
1. Rehabilitation of the Obafemi Awolowo Avenue, GRA road in Sagamu
2. Rehabilitation of the High Courts/Agbele/Simawa/Agbepa Road (which has just been awarded)
3. Rehabilitation of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Road, Omu (which has also been awarded)
4. Construction of culverts at Odo Kekere/Iraye Junction
5. And a host of others.

Some of these roads have already been completed, while others are at various stages of completion, and some still ongoing and waiting for the next tranche of funding in the next budget which The Senator is also pressing for attention as a member of the Senate Appropriation committee.

The overall credit for all these projects intervention however should go to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has graciously approved these interventions, and we have never failed to state this fact in our various public statements and boards.

There are other ongoing interventions which include:
1. Continuous Free Eye Surgeries every month. Over 500 have been successfully done and it is still ongoing.
2. ⁠Interest free Microcredit for market women: over 1000 have been effected and it is ongoing
3. ⁠Farmers: Training on Rice Value Chain, Distribution of various Agricultural inputs, including fertilizers, herbicides, Pesticides and hybrid Maize and Cassava seedlings
4. ⁠Teachers ICT Training and distribution of Laptops.
5. ⁠Provision and installation of Solar street lights in some select communities.
6. Distribution of transformers in Odogbolu, Ijebu Ode, Ijebu East, Sagamu and several other communities in the Senatorial District
7. ⁠Scholarship Schemes for indigent students
8. ⁠Schools renovation and rehabilitation and provision of educational materials to students in the district.
9. ⁠Construction works have commenced at Abigi-Makun Omi Naval base amongst numerous other support for our people.
10. And many more

It is our expectation that the Ogun State government should commend the efforts of the Senator and other National Assembly members from Ogun State who have gone all out of their ways to fill in the gap and compliment the State Government efforts in the areas of development rather than all these needless back and forth suggesting a competition mental siege.

We come in peace!