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Otunba Gbenga Daniel (b. 6 April 1956) has been governor of Ogun State in Nigeria since 29 May 2003. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ogun State is a state in South-western Nigeria. ... May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Peoples Democratic Party is a centrist political party in Nigeria. ...

Born on the 6th April, 1956 into the families of the Most Reverend Adebola Daniel in Makun, Sagamu and Madam Olaitan Daniel, of Omu – Ijebu, Ogun Ogun State showed very early signs of greatness; An acknowledged lover of humanity, a philanthropist of note, an accomplished leader of thought and a consummate visionary and statesman. The man who is today Governor of Ogun State is also a man of destiny.

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

Having finished from the Baptist Boys High School in flying colours, he proceeded first to the school of Basic Studies at The Polytechnic, Ibadan for his Advanced Level examination (A’ Level) and thereafter moved to the faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos. In his early years as an undergraduate, he won several scholarships and became well acquainted with the legendary Prof Ayodele Awojobi as one of 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 sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, indeed, as the youngest member of that select Committee.

Otunba Daniel’s skills manifested early at the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta which he attended from 1969 to 1973. While there, he represented the school in debates and quiz competitions - a factor which made him popular among his contemporaries and reinforced his intellectual orientation.

Passing out of High School in flying colours, he proceeded first to the School of Basic Studies at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and thereafter moved to the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos to study Mechanical Engineering. In his early years as an undergraduate he won several scholarships and also became well acquainted with the legendary Professor Ayodele Awojobi as one of the best students of that acclaimed genius.

It was whilst still an undergraduate, that he became indoctrinated into the select Committee of Friends, a progressive political group that converged around the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He was the youngest member of that Committee, which later metamorphosed into the Unity Party of Nigeria, one of the leading parties of Nigeria’s Second Republic.

During the mandatory one-year National Service with the School of Engineering, Lagos State Polytechnic, he demonstrated remarkable skills as a gifted professional and an astute administrator. Not only did he supervise the construction of the department’s office and workshop complex, Otunba Daniel single-handedly conducted the semester examinations for the School of Engineering without any whiff of leakage or scandal.

This feat was described by an appreciative management as “quite remarkable in an environment where examination fraud was quite rampant” He was to return to the University of Lagos for the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme, and subsequently the Lagos Business School for an executive programme.

A distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Otunba Daniel cut his professional teeth with Metal Construction (WA) Limited and H. F. Schroeder (W.A) Limited, Lagos where he was the General Manager and later the Deputy Managing Director. It is worthy of note that Otunba Daniel was the first black man to rise to that position in the thirty-year history of the company’s operations on the continent of Africa.

In 1990, he harnessed his extensive skills in vertical transportation engineering, power generation and general engineering to found Kresta Laurel Limited. Within three years of its existence, Kresta Laurel became a household name, blazing the trail in a world dominated by foreign corporate giants. It can be safety said that today in one out of every ten high-rise buildings in Nigeria there is a Kresta Laurel device, elevating people to greater heights, generating electricity where public utilities fail and providing leverage towards vantage positions.

His resolve to give back to society inspired him to establish a non – profit, non – governmental organization known as Gateway Front Foundation (GFF), which has in the last few years impacted positively on the lives of the people of Ogun State in particular. The desire to further affect the lives of the people positively made Otunba Gbenga Daniel to seek the mandate of the people of Ogun State for the office of the Governor.

In this quest, Otunba Daniel ran a well-coordinated and intensive campaign, visiting all the 236 wards of Ogun State. The outcome was a resounding victory at the polls on April 19, 2003. As Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has brought positive innovation and productive dynamism into governance, resulting in enhanced public sector delivery.

Some of the landmark achievements of the administration include:

Road Rehabilitation Employment Generation Resuscitation of Farm Settlements ICT Expansion Aggressive Drive Towards Attracting Foreign Investors into Ogun State. Tourism Development Rural Healthcare Programme Transparency and Accountability, incorporating the Computerization and Prompt Payment of Salaries, Pensions and Wages

A man of many parts, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is married to Yeye Olufunke Daniel and the marriage is blessed with children. His diverse achievements and humble disposition has earned him honour and recognition far and near as well as over fifty traditional titles, including:

• Otunba Adeoti of Omu – Ijebu • Fesojoye of Ile – Ife • Aare Asolusero of Makun, Sagamu • Okoesisi of Obinugwu • Arole of Remoland • Otunba Obalofin of Ijebuland • Aare Ajibosin of Owu Kingdom • Adimula of Ketuland, benin Republic

In recognition of his contributions to development in Ogun State Otunba Daniel has been honoured with several academic laurels, including: • Honorary Fellow National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria - 2004 • Doctor of Development Administration (DDA, Honoris Causa) – Babcock University, Ilishan - 2004 • Doctor of Agriculture (D. Agric, Honoris Causa) University of Agriculture, Abeokuta - 2005 • Doctor of Science, Engineering (D.Sc, Honoris Causa) Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye - 2006

He has also won several distinguished awards including but not limited to the following:

• One of Nigeria’s 100 most successful Businessmen (National Concord) - 1993 • MKO Abiola Leadership Prize – 2004 • African Leadership Prize for the Best Performed Governor for year 2003 - 2004 • City People Magazine Award of Excellence for The Best Performed Governor for year 2003 - 2004 • Man of the Year (by the American Biographical Institute Inc) - 2004 • Most Distinguished Governor National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives - Ogun State Chapter - 2004 • Best Performing Governor in Primary Education Development - 2005 • Corporate Governance Award Institute of Directors, Nigeria - 2005

Governor Gbenga Daniel, the Balogun Egbe Bobakeye Akile Ijebu, also belongs to a number of social clubs, including: 􀂾 Metropolitan Club, Lagos • Ikoyi Club, Lagos • Island Club, Lagos • Lagos Country Club, Ikeja • Sagamite Club, Sagamu • Obanta Club, Ijebu-Ode

He is also Grand Patron of the Scout Movement in Nigeria, the Nigerian Red Cross and several other national and international organizations.