Otunba Gbenga Daniel Urges Continuity in Governance and Supports Nigeria’s Development Goals
Otunba Gbenga Daniel Urges Continuity in Governance and Supports Nigeria’s Development Goals
Former Ogun State Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has reiterated the importance of continuity in governance, emphasizing that maintaining viable projects initiated by previous administrations is crucial for national progress.
Daniel made this statement on Sunday during the BATOGD Movement Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour in Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area.
Recalling his past efforts, he noted that many people ridiculed his 2005 initiative to build the Gateway International Airport, dismissing it as a scam and a white elephant project. However, he expressed satisfaction that the airport has now become a reality under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.
“Standing here in Ilisan, it warms my heart to see the Gateway International Airport in Remo—an idea we conceived and started years ago—now a world-class facility under Governor Dapo Abiodun,” Daniel said.
He emphasized that development is a relay race, not a competition: “When one governor passes the baton, another must run with it. True leadership isn’t about who claims the credit but about who gets the job done.”
Despite recent political tensions with Governor Abiodun, including the government’s move to demolish Daniel’s house and hotels, the senator commended the governor’s commitment to completing the airport project. He stressed that without such dedication to continuity, many projects across Nigeria risk remaining unfinished.
Daniel called on political leaders to set aside unnecessary rivalry and focus on delivering tangible benefits to citizens. He also used the platform to advocate for support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027, highlighting Tinubu’s economic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, naira unification, student loans, and infrastructure development as signs of his determination to build a prosperous Nigeria.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated courage and focus in reforming the economy. It’s our duty, especially here in the Southwest, to support him for a landslide victory in 2027,” Daniel said.
In discussing his legislative work, Daniel revealed that the BATOGD Movement tour aims to assess his impact and explore further avenues for socio-economic development in local communities. He also announced plans to revive a major livestock and dairy farm project in Ikenne-Remo, initiated during his tenure as governor but delayed by funding issues. He believes this project could create over 10,000 jobs and boost agro-industrial growth.
On regional development, he reaffirmed his support for the creation of Ijebu-Remo State, urging residents of Ogun East to stay united in pursuit of this goal. He stressed that his continued presence in the Senate would be essential to realizing this aspiration.
“If we are to achieve the dream of Ijebu-Remo State, we need continuity in representation. The project could face setbacks if we don’t maintain our collective voice until 2031,” he said.
Additionally, Daniel inspected the Federal Government Strategic Grain Reserve in Ikenne, pledging to ensure it becomes fully operational to enhance food security and create jobs, rather than remaining dormant.
The event also featured the distribution of empowerment tools such as sewing machines, motorcycles, freezers, and grinding machines to local residents.
Earlier, Otunba Wemmy Osude, Chairman of the Ilisan Development Association, praised Daniel’s foresight in initiating the Gateway Airport project and commended Governor Abiodun for completing it, describing it as a transformative development for Remo and Ogun State.
Osude urged the senator to continue his development efforts and sustain his people-centered approach.
Experts have long warned that project abandonment remains a major governance failure in Nigeria. The Chartered Institute of Project Managers reports that abandoned projects nationwide are worth over N17 trillion. A 2011 presidential committee estimated that about 63% of government projects since independence had been abandoned, while the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors estimates the total number of abandoned projects at around 56,000 across the country.
