₦airaland Forum

Ogun's transformation and enduring legacies of a thought leader

In the intellectual discourse of thought leadership and the appropriate denotation of a thought leader, two things are very key and they are: Unique Insights and Innovative Ideas. These two attributes distinguish a thought leader beyond rhetorics in every political setting.

While machinery of government remains the product of politics and politicking, the only instrument of it's sustainability is good governance, which can only be achieved by a thought leader, who possesses distinct insights and innovative instincts about projects of profound impacts and of greatest benefits to the greatest number of people.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, by all standards remains a thought leader in truth and indeed. Bringing to bear on governance the satisfactory knowledge of human and material resources management from the corporate word as a board room guru, who have successfully nurtured many industries from conception to fruition in the most competitive sectors.

Many of his naysayers, out of chronic ignorance and sheer envy have expected him to fail and be overwhelmed by the humongous challenges Governor Dapo Abiodun met on ground upon assumption of office in 2019. Unfortunately for them, the Prince of Iperu frontally disappointed and disgraced them by his sterling performance.

The construction of over 1600kms of roads across the 20 local governments in Ogun State, which is far beyond the combination of all what his predecessors have achieved in the past is a clear testament of how cynics of Abiodun's administration in the state have failed and disappointed, which forced them to resort to cheap propaganda to divert attention of the unsuspecting residents from excellent performance of the Governor.

The construction of the Gateway International Airport by Governor Dapo Abiodun, turning a thick forest of over a decade to a world class edifice is another confirmation of unique leadership capacity of the Governor and his creative strength of transformation without noise.

His penchant for improved economy through industrialization is highly commendable and examplary for other sub-national governments, as the state continues to maintain its status as the best state in Ease of Doing Business, with necessary infrastructure and conducive business environment.

Of course, this status did not come in a vacuum, it was indeed the product of progressive policies of the government and relentless efforts of the helmsman for almost six years, changing the ugly past with determination and conviction and moving steadily ahead with confidence of a better future .

These facts recently played out during a courtesy visit by the management team of Zenith Bank Plc to the office of the Governor located at Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, where the giant strides of the Dapo Abiodun's administration were well commended and acknowledged by the team, describing it as unprecedented transformation across the state.

The delegation was led by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Adaorah Umeoji and the Executive Director, Akin Ogunranti. Adaorah in her remarks applauded Governor Abiodun’s strides in infrastructure and economic development, noting that the visible improvements—particularly in road infrastructure—reflect purposeful and impactful governance.

She said'', I enjoyed the drive down here greatly. It is on a smooth road. This is a testimony that the Governor is working. Thank you for what you are doing for the people of Ogun State.

“We are looking for areas of collaboration. We are seeking ways of partnering with the state to impact the lives of the people. Ogun State is very dear to our hearts at Zenith Bank, and we are optimistic that this meeting will open a new chapter in our relationship,” she added.

Also speaking, Ogunranti described the engagement as a long-awaited opportunity to deepen institutional ties with the state government.

In a post-meeting interview, he described Ogun as receptive and business-friendly, attributing the influx of factories by many of the bank’s customers to the administration’s sustained investment in infrastructure.

He commended the state government for its partnership over the years and pledged the bank’s continued support.

“We appreciate the government for the partnership we have had over the years and look forward to other areas where we can support the state in achieving its goals and aspirations. We will support the great strides that the governor is making and the laudable projects he has undertaken to ensure that citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Welcoming the delegation , Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation for the bank’s willingness to expand its relationship with the state. He noted that Zenith Bank has maintained a longstanding partnership with Ogun and reaffirmed his administration’s openness to mutually beneficial collaborations.

The governor proposed the establishment of a joint team comprising representatives of the bank and the state government to develop modalities for seamless and rewarding engagement.

Highlighting Ogun State’s strategic advantages, Abiodun pointed to its proximity to Lagos, abundant natural resources, expanding infrastructure, and its position as Nigeria’s industrial hub.

He disclosed that the state now boasts an airport, newly discovered oil deposits, and two proposed dry ports, alongside over 1,600 kilometers of completed and ongoing road projects.

He added that his administration’s development blueprint, anchored on the ISEYA pillars, has positioned Ogun as a leading state in education, ease of doing business, and housing delivery, with about 7,000 housing units constructed in the past six years.

Without mincing words, Governor Dapo Abiodun has proven to the world and most importantly his antagonists beyond reasonable doubt that capacity to deliver good governance goes beyond noise and bravado, it strictly predicates on critical thinking and selflessness, coupled with divine guidance.

May God continue to guide and guard Prince Dapo Abiodun to do more for the people of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Sometimes, our Politicians are not the real problem, but the political jobbers who always want to be calling black white

Marcus07:
Ogun's transformation and enduring legacies of a thought leader

In the intellectual discourse of thought leadership and the appropriate denotation of a thought leader, two things are very key and they are: Unique Insights and Innovative Ideas. These two attributes distinguish a thought leader beyond rhetorics in every political setting.

While machinery of government remains the product of politics and politicking, the only instrument of it's sustainability is good governance, which can only be achieved by a thought leader, who possesses distinct insights and innovative instincts about projects of profound impacts and of greatest benefits to the greatest number of people.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, by all standards remains a thought leader in truth and indeed. Bringing to bear on governance the satisfactory knowledge of human and material resources management from the corporate word as a board room guru, who have successfully nurtured many industries from conception to fruition in the most competitive sectors.

Many of his naysayers, out of chronic ignorance and sheer envy have expected him to fail and be overwhelmed by the humongous challenges Governor Dapo Abiodun met on ground upon assumption of office in 2019. Unfortunately for them, the Prince of Iperu frontally disappointed and disgraced them by his sterling performance.

The construction of over 1600kms of roads across the 20 local governments in Ogun State, which is far beyond the combination of all what his predecessors have achieved in the past is a clear testament of how cynics of Abiodun's administration in the state have failed and disappointed, which forced them to resort to cheap propaganda to divert attention of the unsuspecting residents from excellent performance of the Governor.

The construction of the Gateway International Airport by Governor Dapo Abiodun, turning a thick forest of over a decade to a world class edifice is another confirmation of unique leadership capacity of the Governor and his creative strength of transformation without noise.

His penchant for improved economy through industrialization is highly commendable and examplary for other sub-national governments, as the state continues to maintain its status as the best state in Ease of Doing Business, with necessary infrastructure and conducive business environment.

Of course, this status did not come in a vacuum, it was indeed the product of progressive policies of the government and relentless efforts of the helmsman for almost six years, changing the ugly past with determination and conviction and moving steadily ahead with confidence of a better future .

These facts recently played out during a courtesy visit by the management team of Zenith Bank Plc to the office of the Governor located at Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, where the giant strides of the Dapo Abiodun's administration were well commended and acknowledged by the team, describing it as unprecedented transformation across the state.

The delegation was led by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Adaorah Umeoji and the Executive Director, Akin Ogunranti. Adaorah in her remarks applauded Governor Abiodun’s strides in infrastructure and economic development, noting that the visible improvements—particularly in road infrastructure—reflect purposeful and impactful governance.

She said'', I enjoyed the drive down here greatly. It is on a smooth road. This is a testimony that the Governor is working. Thank you for what you are doing for the people of Ogun State.

“We are looking for areas of collaboration. We are seeking ways of partnering with the state to impact the lives of the people. Ogun State is very dear to our hearts at Zenith Bank, and we are optimistic that this meeting will open a new chapter in our relationship,” she added.

Also speaking, Ogunranti described the engagement as a long-awaited opportunity to deepen institutional ties with the state government.

In a post-meeting interview, he described Ogun as receptive and business-friendly, attributing the influx of factories by many of the bank’s customers to the administration’s sustained investment in infrastructure.

He commended the state government for its partnership over the years and pledged the bank’s continued support.

“We appreciate the government for the partnership we have had over the years and look forward to other areas where we can support the state in achieving its goals and aspirations. We will support the great strides that the governor is making and the laudable projects he has undertaken to ensure that citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Welcoming the delegation , Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation for the bank’s willingness to expand its relationship with the state. He noted that Zenith Bank has maintained a longstanding partnership with Ogun and reaffirmed his administration’s openness to mutually beneficial collaborations.

The governor proposed the establishment of a joint team comprising representatives of the bank and the state government to develop modalities for seamless and rewarding engagement.

Highlighting Ogun State’s strategic advantages, Abiodun pointed to its proximity to Lagos, abundant natural resources, expanding infrastructure, and its position as Nigeria’s industrial hub.

He disclosed that the state now boasts an airport, newly discovered oil deposits, and two proposed dry ports, alongside over 1,600 kilometers of completed and ongoing road projects.

He added that his administration’s development blueprint, anchored on the ISEYA pillars, has positioned Ogun as a leading state in education, ease of doing business, and housing delivery, with about 7,000 housing units constructed in the past six years.

Without mincing words, Governor Dapo Abiodun has proven to the world and most importantly his antagonists beyond reasonable doubt that capacity to deliver good governance goes beyond noise and bravado, it strictly predicates on critical thinking and selflessness, coupled with divine guidance.

May God continue to guide and guard Prince Dapo Abiodun to do more for the people of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communications to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

All this epistle with no pictures to show workings? SMH.