ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, on Wednesday said Nigeria is yet to witness the best of President Bola Tinubu, crediting the country’s leader with playing a defining role in shaping his administration while in office.
Daniel spoke in Abuja during the public presentation of four books marking his 70th birthday, where he described Tinubu as a pragmatic leader whose ideas influenced governance decisions during his tenure as governor.
“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains one of the most pragmatic human beings that I have ever come across. Nigeria is yet to see the best of him. Mr President is a textbook in governance and creative intelligence that many of us read from,” he said.
The former governor noted that several initiatives implemented during his time in Ogun State were inspired by Tinubu’s governance style and strategic thinking.
“I owe the modest success of our administration as the Governor of Ogun State to his insight and creative geniuses; there are quite a lot of his governance initiatives that we copied from while I was Governor,” he added.
The event, held at the Yar’Adua Centre, drew prominent political figures, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and served as both a celebration of Daniel’s 70th birthday and a reflection on his years in public service.
Represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Tinubu returned the praise, describing Daniel as a longtime ally and accomplished leader.
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“I salute Otunba Daniel for his professional exploits, governance strides and political achievements. He accomplished the feats by dint of hard work, tenacity, wisdom and courage,” Tinubu said.
The President highlighted Daniel’s contributions across engineering, business and politics, pointing to his role in founding Kresta Laurel and its growth into a leading engineering firm in Nigeria.
He added that Daniel carried the same vision into public office after becoming governor in 2003, focusing on industrialisation, infrastructure, education and public-private partnerships.
“Part of his legacy as governor included the initiation of the first agro-allied cargo airport in the state and the establishment of Tai Solarin University of Education,” he said.
Beyond personal reflections, Daniel used the platform to address broader national concerns, warning that misinformation and poor-quality data continue to undermine governance and decision-making in Nigeria.
“One of the critical issues that has arrested and held down Nigerian society is the lack of credible information. Political decisions are frequently taken from warped viewpoints,” he said.
On corruption, he called for structural reforms, including a possible amnesty framework to encourage the repatriation of illicit funds within the financial system.
“A significant portion of corrupt proceeds passes through our banking system. Government could consider offering a well-structured moratorium or amnesty on the repatriation of such illicit funds,” he said.
Daniel also advocated a return to ethical leadership rooted in the “Omoluabi ethos,” emphasising integrity, accountability and moral discipline as key drivers of national development.
On security, he backed ongoing conversations around state policing, urging the creation of safeguards such as State Police Councils to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
The event featured the unveiling of four books Daniel in the Lions’ Den, My March through the Courts, Path to Justice and Otunba Gbenga Daniel in the Eyes of Time highlighting his life, career and contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape.