Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East and former governor of Ogun State, has called for urgent action to combat misinformation and corruption in Nigeria. He made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of four books marking his 70th birthday.
The event, held at the Yar’Adua Centre, drew former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, business leaders, and other prominent Nigerians.
The books unveiled—Daniel in the Lions’ Den, My March through the Courts, Path to Justice, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel in the Eyes of Time—were described by Daniel as a milestone in his life.
Addressing the gathering, Daniel warned that misinformation remains a major challenge in Nigerian society. “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. He urged investment in fact-based information systems to strengthen governance.
Daniel also called for a systemic approach to tackling corruption and illicit financial flows, noting that a significant portion of corrupt proceeds passes through the banking system. He proposed considering moratoriums or amnesties to encourage repatriation of illicit funds.
The senator emphasised the importance of ethical leadership grounded in the “Omoluabi ethos” of integrity, accountability, and moral uprightness. He further advocated for youth development, skills acquisition, and technology investment, stressing that “a nation that fails to engage its young population meaningfully is, in effect, postponing its own progress.”
Daniel also endorsed ongoing discussions on state policing while calling for safeguards, such as the establishment of state police councils, to prevent abuse.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Finance Minister Wale Edun, hailed Daniel as a longtime ally whose career reflects resilience and dedication to national development. “I salute Otunba Daniel for his professional exploits, governance strides, and political achievements,” Tinubu said, praising his engineering, business, and political contributions.
Tinubu highlighted Daniel’s role in founding Kresta Laurel in 1990, describing the company as a leader in Nigeria’s electro-mechanical engineering sector. “The enviable heights the company has attained should not be surprising given Otunba’s business acumen, hunger for success, and determination,” he said.
The president also noted Daniel’s transition from private sector success to public service as Ogun State governor in 2003, where he prioritised industrialisation, public-private partnerships, education, and infrastructure development. Achievements under his administration included the creation of the state’s first agro-allied cargo airport and the establishment of Tai Solarin University of Education.
