Diamond Birthday: Celebrating A Sexagenarian Governor In Grand Style
By Charles Segun Adegbite
A man of destiny, with chequered political life, Prince Adedapo Oluwaseun Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, like a big star shining in the firmament, radiated special glory on Friday, May 29.
Of course, he has abundant reasons to role out the drums and paint the whole state red. But, he did the celebrations in a low key.
He just joined the Club of Sexagenarians as he clocked 60years. A Diamond Birthday always calls for landmark celebrations. He simultaneously celebrated his first year in office as the governor of the State that prides herself as the Gateway to Nigeria. Today therefore, is a day of double celebrations
Without mincing words, the forces controlling the universe are fully in his favour. Apart from having the first church in Nigeria located in his state capital, virtually all the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria today have their international headquarters/prayer camps located in his state.
He just joined the Club of Sexagenarians as he clocked 60years. A Diamond Birthday always calls for landmark celebrations. He simultaneously celebrated his first year in office as the governor of the State that prides herself as the Gateway to Nigeria. Today therefore, is a day of double celebrations
Without mincing words, the forces controlling the universe are fully in his favour. Apart from having the first church in Nigeria located in his state capital, virtually all the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria today have their international headquarters/prayer camps located in his state.
His Personality Profile
This Prince is a man of many parts. He is a successful business mogul, an oil magnate, accomplished accountant, a prudent administrator and an outstanding politician.
He was the Chairman of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria from 2018 until his election in March 2019..
His business adventures in the corporate world paved way for him to become Chairman and / or Chief Executive of several reputable companies which included Crestar Hydrocarbons Limited, OMS-Heyden Exploration and Production Limited, Heyden Petroleum Limited, Alarmnet and Innopovative Ventures Limited, and First Power Limited.
His vast wealth of experience in boardroom activities, corporate governance and finance, led to his becoming a regular face at Board Meetings of several blue-chip companies.
He was the Chairman of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria from 2018 until his election in March 2019..
His business adventures in the corporate world paved way for him to become Chairman and / or Chief Executive of several reputable companies which included Crestar Hydrocarbons Limited, OMS-Heyden Exploration and Production Limited, Heyden Petroleum Limited, Alarmnet and Innopovative Ventures Limited, and First Power Limited.
His vast wealth of experience in boardroom activities, corporate governance and finance, led to his becoming a regular face at Board Meetings of several blue-chip companies.
Birth & Early Life
Born on Sunday May 29, 1960, into a royal family of Dr. Emmanuel and Mrs. Victoria Abiodun of Iperu-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Dapo was raised by parents who were both teachers.
He attended Christ’s School Ado Ekiti in 1972 and St. Joseph’s College, Ondo in 1977. He later went to Ondo High School, in 1978, due to the movement pattern of his parents who served in different parts of the then Western Region.
Abiodun thereafter proceeded to the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he studied Civil Engineering. He later got transferred to the Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia, United States where he graduated with a BBA in Accounting in 1986
He attended Christ’s School Ado Ekiti in 1972 and St. Joseph’s College, Ondo in 1977. He later went to Ondo High School, in 1978, due to the movement pattern of his parents who served in different parts of the then Western Region.
Abiodun thereafter proceeded to the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he studied Civil Engineering. He later got transferred to the Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia, United States where he graduated with a BBA in Accounting in 1986
Career Adventures
He began his career with Glock Inc. USA as Cost Accountant and worked between 1989-1991. His passion for the motherland made him return to Nigeria thereafter.
This business mogul immediately embarked on entrepreneurship voyage upon his return to Nigeria and founded a number of successful businesses. He is the managing director of Heyden Petroleum and the founder of First Power Limited, among other business concerns.
This business mogul immediately embarked on entrepreneurship voyage upon his return to Nigeria and founded a number of successful businesses. He is the managing director of Heyden Petroleum and the founder of First Power Limited, among other business concerns.
Chequered Political Life
His adventures into politics began when he returned from the U.S.A. He contested and won the Ogun East Senatorial seat in 1998 on the platform of the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party.
Consequently, he emerged perhaps as the youngest senator-elect in the country then; as he was about 38years old. The victory was, however, truncated by political upheavals in the country then, following the sudden death of the then Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha.
He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in 1999 as a founding member when the current Fourth Republic began. He however developed interest in governing Ogun State and consequently contested in the party primaries in 2002 for the governorship ticket.
Consequently, he emerged perhaps as the youngest senator-elect in the country then; as he was about 38years old. The victory was, however, truncated by political upheavals in the country then, following the sudden death of the then Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha.
He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in 1999 as a founding member when the current Fourth Republic began. He however developed interest in governing Ogun State and consequently contested in the party primaries in 2002 for the governorship ticket.
He emerged as the runner-up to the winner of the ticket, but as the sayings goes, Man proposes, God disposes. Otunba Gbenga Daniel won the election then.
Again in 2015, having joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) he ran for his senatorial ambition, won the party ticket but lost to PDP candidate.
Twenty years after his first political contest, he got the APC ticket to run for governorship in 2018.
He was however, engaged in a tough political warfare that became so disgusting to many Ogun indigenes and Nigerians who watched the campaign rallies at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abeokuta and thereafter by his opponents .
These however got him sympathy votes in the March 2019 gubernatorial election. So he won gallantly, in a manner that many people testified there was God's involvement in his victory.
Again in 2015, having joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) he ran for his senatorial ambition, won the party ticket but lost to PDP candidate.
Twenty years after his first political contest, he got the APC ticket to run for governorship in 2018.
He was however, engaged in a tough political warfare that became so disgusting to many Ogun indigenes and Nigerians who watched the campaign rallies at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abeokuta and thereafter by his opponents .
These however got him sympathy votes in the March 2019 gubernatorial election. So he won gallantly, in a manner that many people testified there was God's involvement in his victory.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu with Gov Abiodun
Of course, he was drawn into serious litigations thereafter, which started from the election tribunal and ended in the apex court where the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, upheld his victory. A proof that you can't defeat anyone who God has given victory.
His Political Appointments
In view of his electoral value and wealth of experience in business world he was given different political appointments from the early part of this democratic dispensation.
He served as a member of various Presidential Committees like the Presidential Think Tank set up by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001; Chairman, Oil and Gas Committee of Ogun State in 2009; Chairman of Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association (DAPPMA) from 2012 to 2019.
He served as a member of various Presidential Committees like the Presidential Think Tank set up by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001; Chairman, Oil and Gas Committee of Ogun State in 2009; Chairman of Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association (DAPPMA) from 2012 to 2019.
The Governor's Wife, H.E. Mrs Bamidele Abiodun
In 2018, he was given another appointment as the Chairman of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
While his appointment lasted as the Chairman of CAC he led a number of reform initiatives that standardized and improved the business registration process in the country. This led to a higher ease-of-doing-business ranking for the country.
While his appointment lasted as the Chairman of CAC he led a number of reform initiatives that standardized and improved the business registration process in the country. This led to a higher ease-of-doing-business ranking for the country.
Governing Ogun State
Immediately after his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday May 29, 2019, he hit the ground running by fixing some major roads that have been in deplorable conditions for nearly eight years in major towns across the four divisions of the state.
With his message of Building our Future Together he is silently, but steadfastly, redefining the art of governance.
With his message of Building our Future Together he is silently, but steadfastly, redefining the art of governance.
Gov Abiodun with Ogun PFN Chairman, Apostle D. A.B. Otaru
This is because what many of his predecessors and peers do and mount billboards, take advertorials in newspapers to celebrate as achievements, Governor Abiodun sees them as normal things which need no noise about.
Achievements As Governor
The pictures below are pictorial evidences of some of the numerous project carried out within the year.
Gov Abiodun : Taking Agriculture to higher levels
He procured 100 Patrol Vehicles and 200 Bikes to boost security operationsAwards & Recognitions
In 2014, he was honoured by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan with the prestigious National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR).
In 2018, he was awarded a Doctor of Science in Business Development and Administration (Honoris Causa) Degree by the Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State.
The Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, also bestowed on him a Doctor of Finance (Honoris Causa) Degree in recognition of his significant positive impacts and immense contributions to the development of the nation and humanity.
The Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, also bestowed on him a Doctor of Finance (Honoris Causa) Degree in recognition of his significant positive impacts and immense contributions to the development of the nation and humanity.
People's Comments
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu: He is an astute business man who caught his teeth very early.
Chief Olusegun Osoba: He is a God-fearing man. A good Christian with forgiving spirit. And he is very hardworking.
Gov Abiodun with Pastor Adeboye after winning last year.
Ex-Gov Gbenga Daniel: He installed a security system in my home over 20years ago which is still working perfectly till now. He is an astute business man. And he is more matured. He became governor of Ogun State at exactly 59years. Unlike many of us. I was 43years old when I became the governor of Ogun State. So his experience and maturity will help him a lot.
He is very passionate about Ogun State. He believes God was the one who brought him to power. He has a forgiving spirit. And once he determined to do something he doesn't look back until he has done it.
The Elepe of Epe-Sagamu, HRH Oba Adewale Osiberu
Elepe of Epe-Sagamu: He has a lot of challenges which people need to consider when trying assess him in first year. But in spite of the challenges he has done a lot. He started with palliative approach by rehabilitating and reconstructing roads that are in deplorable conditions across the four divisions. In Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, and Yewa, works are going on. So let's be patient and see what he will do in the next year of his administration
Prof. Odemuyiwa: Special Adviser to the Governor
Alaperu of Iperu-Remo, HRH Oba Basibo :He believes so much in giving back to the community. His humility is well known.
Gov Abiodun with his parents [/caption]
Marital/Family Life
Governor Abiodun is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Bamidele, and the union is blessed with five children.
Final Words
He came, he saw storms of pre and post electoral battles, inherited challenges in governance and lately Coronavirus pandemic, weathered the storms and conquered.
In view of these success stories and victory,
Prince Adedapo Oluwaseun Abiodun is our:
Successful People Governor -of-the-Month
{For May 2020}
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