Former Governor of Ogun State and distinguished Senator representing Ogun East, His Excellency Senator Otunba Engr Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FAEng, recently made headlines for hosting a glamorous 60th birthday party for his beloved wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, in Lagos.
Recall that the luxurious celebration, which took place at the prestigious Balmoral Hall, Sheraton Hotel, captured the essence of love, resilience, and unwavering support that has defined the couple’s journey together.
The former first lady’s society birthday bash became the talk of the town a few weeks ago, drawing esteemed guests from Nigeria’s social elite, top traditional rulers, and influential political figures who converged at the renowned venue from across the country and beyond.
During a sermon titled “The Test of Faith,” delivered at Rev Esther Ajayi’s Love of Christ Generation Church during a Family Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, April 21, 2024, Senator Daniel recounted his personal journey of resilience amidst adversity.
He reflected on his trials at the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the unwavering support of his wife throughout the ordeal.
In a powerful testimony, the senator highlighted the challenges faced by leaders in Nigeria’s political landscape, sharing his own experience of being declared wanted by the EFCC. Despite the adversity, he demonstrated accountability and integrity by surrendering himself to the authorities, setting an example of leadership accountability.
“Something is currently going on in Nigeria, and I’ve been seeing it on television. One of our governors is to be arrested, and all the apparatus of the government surrounded his house, but they were not able to arrest the governor.
“And I was wondering what has now happened to our world. Although I’m not justifying the police wanting to arrest him, I’m concerned about why it is difficult for him to surrender himself?
“Let me make myself an example. After serving my state for eight years, I can tell you that there is nothing else I knew how to do that I didn’t do to serve my people back then.
“I was going to attend a meeting in Ikenne when I was informed by the late Dr. Frederick Fasehun that EFCC had declared me wanted. So, I first went to Ikenne to tell them that I won’t be able to attend the meeting because I’ve been declared wanted.
“After which I went back to my office, and a few minutes later, my secretary came to inform me that some people are looking for me from EFCC.”
Otunba Daniel narrated that he told his secretary to allow them in, which they did and informed him that he has to follow them to Lagos.
“The point I’m trying to make is that between the time I heard the information, I can drive towards the border. But I went back and surrendered myself,” he explained.
Amidst the turmoil, Senator Daniel revealed the unwavering support of his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.
He recounted the moment he informed her of his arrest, only to be met with her resolute response: “Wherever they’re taking you, we’re going together!”
According to the former governor, Yeye Daniel’s steadfast support and unwavering faith were evident throughout the eleven-year trial, during which she refused to celebrate her own birthday until her husband was acquitted of all charges.
“Yeye said, ‘I’ll not celebrate any birthday until you’re set free. We live together, I know you’ll not touch state money; unless you are spending your money for the state. So whatever they do, God will save you.’
“So for those eleven years until last year when I was discharged of any crime, Yeye refused to celebrate her birthday,” the former governor revealed.
The well-attended birthday celebration not only honored Yeye Daniel’s milestone but also served as a testament to the enduring love, resilience, and solidarity shared between the esteemed couple, Senator Gbenga Daniel and Yeye Olufunke Daniel.
In the same vein, the former governor has admonished political leaders to be cautious and not allow the positions they occupy to get into their heads.
While taking his lessons from the book of Daniel, Chapter 3, Otunba Daniel cited the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three Jewish men thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon for refusing to bow to the king’s image.
“The Bible told us that those people who actually obeyed the king to do evil got burnt. But for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the fiery furnace didn’t touch them, which amazed Nebuchadnezzar. Even the king later agreed that there is a son of God that is powerful than any other human being,” he stated.
The senator reminded the public office holders that their terms are tenured for a maximum of 8 years so they should be circumspect while holding office because their own day of reckoning and judgment too shall come.
“For me, I have been tested in the crucible of fires and became stronger from that. I have no fears anymore because my own trials and tribulations had come and I passed the test,” Otunba Daniel said.
Fresh concerns have emerged over compliance with a court order issued by the High Court of Kano State on April 8, 2026, restraining key parties—including the Honourable Minister of Education, the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the Kano State Urban Development Authority, and Pluck Global Company Limited—from further actions pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Findings indicate that while all parties—except the concessionaire, Pluck Global Company Limited—were duly served within two days of the order, significant challenges were encountered in effecting service on the company, raising troubling questions about its corporate traceability and regulatory vetting.
A review of the company’s records filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed addresses that could not be verified as functional business locations. Notably, documentation submitted to Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, dated June 20, 2024, listed two addresses: 8B, Lalupon Street, off Keffi Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as its head office, and 3 Bargery Road, Bompai, Kano, as its branch office.
However, a physical visit to the Ikoyi address revealed that the entire property is occupied by a company identified as Golden Alchemy, whose staff категорically denied any knowledge of, or shared occupancy with, Pluck Global Company Limited.
Efforts to trace the Kano address yielded even more unsettling findings. The location—a locked duplex—showed no visible signs of commercial activity. Neighbours, while reluctant to speak on record, alluded to irregular movements at odd hours, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the premises as a corporate office.
In a twist, after multiple attempts to establish contact, an individual purportedly representing the company surfaced in Kano and agreed to receive and acknowledge the court order on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm. Curiously, the Ikoyi address—already discredited—was again listed as the company’s official address in the acknowledgment.
These developments raise critical questions regarding due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols on the part of the Federal Ministry of Education. They also cast a spotlight on the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), should a concession agreement indeed have been executed with the company. Stakeholders say it would be instructive to review the addresses contained in all official correspondences and contractual documents linked to the transaction.
Meanwhile, a visit to the premises of Federal Government College, Kano, revealed ongoing construction activity, with workers observed excavating foundations. When approached, the workers declined to disclose the authority under which they were operating—despite the subsistence of a court order restraining further action.
Notably, a previously installed project billboard bearing the insignia of the school authorities and the Federal Ministry of Education had been removed. Sources within the institution suggest that the directive for its removal may have emanated from the Ministry following receipt of the court order.
The unfolding situation presents a complex mix of legal, regulatory, and accountability issues—raising the spectre of possible non-compliance with judicial directives, as well as deeper concerns about transparency in public-private concession arrangements.