Gbenga Daniel Tinubu governance influence praised as ex-Ogun governor credits President Tinubu during his 70th birthday book presentation in Abuja

A former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, in Abuja, publicly credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his significant Gbenga Daniel Tinubu governance influence, describing the Nigerian leader as a major source of inspiration and practical governance ideas during his tenure as governor.

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The remarks were made at the public presentation of four books organised to mark Daniel’s 70th birthday at the Yar’Adua Centre, an event attended by prominent political figures, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside top government officials and associates.

Senator Gbenga Daniel, who governed Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, said President Tinubu’s leadership style had a lasting impact on his administration, noting that several policy approaches were shaped through exposure to the President’s governance philosophy.

“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,” Daniel said. “Mr President is a textbook in governance and creative intelligence that many of us read from.”

He added that the President’s strategic thinking influenced aspects of his administration, particularly in policy design and implementation.

The former governor described Tinubu’s approach as both practical and intellectually driven, calling it a model many public officials observed closely.

“I owe the modest success of our administration as the Governor of Ogun State to his insight and creative genius. There are quite a lot of his governance initiatives that we copied while I was governor,” he stated.

The tribute formed one of the highlights of the ceremony, which also doubled as a reflection on Daniel’s decades in public service, political journey, and contributions to infrastructure and institutional development in Ogun State.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, responded with warm remarks, describing Daniel as a long-time ally with notable achievements in governance and enterprise.

Tinubu commended Daniel’s record in both private and public sectors, highlighting his entrepreneurial background and leadership roles, including the establishment of engineering firm Kresta Laurel, which has delivered major projects across Nigeria.

“The enviable heights the company has attained at present should not be surprising given Otunba’s business acumen, hunger for success and determination,” the President said through his representative.

Beyond the tributes, Daniel used the occasion to address wider national concerns, including misinformation, corruption, and governance reforms.

He warned that poor information flow continued to distort political decision-making across the country.

One of the most striking moments of the event came when he called for a structured amnesty framework for the repatriation of illicit funds, arguing that such a mechanism could help recover stolen wealth held abroad while strengthening financial accountability.

He also urged a renewed embrace of ethical leadership anchored on the Omoluabi ethos, stressing integrity, discipline, and responsibility as essential values for national development.

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The ceremony also featured the unveiling of four commemorative books chronicling Daniel’s life, legal battles, political career, and governance journey, adding a reflective and celebratory tone to the milestone event.