Celebrate Gbenga Daniel the Governor on His birthday

Gbenga Daniel (born 6 April 1956) is a Nigerian politician and Governor of Ogun State of Nigeria from 29 May 2003 to 29 May 2011, making him the longest-serving governor of the state. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is the owner of the Nigerian Compass, a daily newspaper. and also Kresta Laurel, a company he started in 1990.

As governor, he has attracted heavy criticisms and commendations as well. He constructed the new government secretariat at Oke Mosan which brought all the state ministries together in one administrative complex. His program on Public Private Partnership attracted several businesses into the State during his tenure. His administration was accused of several irregularities, some for which he is still standing trial. However, he is well commended by a majority of the people of Ogun State who believe his government was people-friendly.

Background

Otunba Gbenga Daniel Born on the 6th April, 1956 into the family of Rt. Rev. Adebola Daniel of Makun Sagamu and Madam Olaitan Daniel, of Omu Ijebu, Ogun State; an acknowledged lover of humanity, a philanthropist of note, an accomplished leader of thought and a consummate visionary and statesman, Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel Governor of Ogun State 2003-2011 is a man of many parts.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel's skills as a consumable manager and strategist manifested as early as 1969 while at the Baptist Boys' High School, Abeokuta that he attended from 1969 to 1973. While there, he represented the school in a lot of extra curricular activities such as debates and quiz competitions, a factor which made him exceptionally popular among his contemporaries and which also stimulated his intellectual prowess.

Having graduated from the Baptist Boys High School in flying colors, he proceeded first to the School of Basic Studies at The Polytechnic, Ibadan for his Advanced Level (A' Level) and thereafter moved to the School of Engineering of the University of Lagos. In his early years as an undergraduate, he won several scholarships and also became well acquainted with the legendary, Prof. Ayodele Awojobi as one of the best students of the late prodigy. It was whilst still an undergraduate, that he became indoctrinated into the select Committee of friends of the late Saga,Chief Obafemi Awolowo. 

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 and champion several times over, on his television quiz show "Mastermind"

Professional and business Career

Daniel became a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He taught briefly as a lecturer in the School of Engineering of Lagos State Polytechnic. In 1983, he obtained a job with Schroeder (W.A.) Limited, Lagos, rising to Deputy managing director becoming the first African to hold that position in the history of the company. He left Schroeder to start his own business. In 1990 he founded Kresta Laurel, an engineering firm specialising in elevators, overhead travelling cranes and hoists.