With 127 days to go into the election on September 22, the preliminaries and the heats for the main race, we continue our review of the purported contestants, even though only a few of them have formally declared.
Akintola: Gunning For
Governorship Seat Under AD
Olugbenga Akintola completed his secondary school education with grade 1 distinction as the best student and later obtained both B.Sc (Hons) and M.Sc Architecture from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. He attended the executive course (Innovation for Economic Development) at Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He also attended various Continuous Professional Development Courses in the UK.
Having works in both the Private and Public sector organisations in Nigeria and the UK for over 30 years, he is presently the Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Infrastructure.
A thorough and accomplished Project and Programme Manager, utilising his training in Building, Surveying, Project Management, Architecture & Road Maintenance, in successfully delivering various building and road construction/maintenance projects both in Nigeria and UK.
He was appointed Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Oyo State, in September, 2016. Prior to his appointment, he was the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Public Works Corporation for 6 years from August 2009 to September 2015, and was responsible for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the State’s road network.
He developed a new vision for the Corporation together with a 5-year roadmap towards transforming the Corporation to achieving the laudable objectives of making Lagos work through significantly improved road infrastructure. Olugbenga successfully led the Corporation through the challenges of achieving the set objectives.
In addition to these, he coordinated the implementation of the Imota and Badagry Asphalt Plant with a combine production capacity of 320 tons per hour, amongst other achievements. The Customer Service Unit became fully operational under his watch, together with an increased number of maintenance gangs from 13 to 30.
In his current role with Oyo State Government, Olugbenga increased the awareness of OYSG activities in construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads by communicating the state strategic plan via local media and through rebranding of Oyo State Public Works Department (OYSPWD) and signages with “Tax payers’ money at work”.
He also works in conjunction with other relevant Ministries to minimise flooding of road network by effecting prompt repair of water mains for smooth road operations.
In Oyo State and as in Lagos State, Olugbenga has demonstrated competent leadership, proactiveness, integrity and a real passion for delivering results, cost-effectively.
Olugbenga is a Professional Member of the following bodies – Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (Fellow), Chartered Institute of Building (Incorporated Member), Association for Project Management (Member), Institute of Energy (Member), Building Research Establishment (Licensed DEA).
His vision for Osun State is embodied in his strong conviction that the people of Osun State desire much better than what they have been offered for over 20 years. As in all his endeavours, Olugbenga is driven by a genuine commitment to adding value to people’s lives.
Making people’s lives better in Osun is an unshakable commitment Olugbenga has dedicated the last few years to – through various initiatives, including free healthcare and low interest micro-finance loan for small scale traders, artisans etc.
His conviction that only a responsible and accountable government with visionary leadership can rescue the state from various challenges is the reason for his governorship ambition.
Eniola-Oni: From Pulpit To The Race
Prince Ayodeji Eniola-Oni was born in Ibadan in the early 70’s to the family of Late Reverend (Dr) Joshua Eniola Oni of Ile-Epo’s Compound, Orita Jagun, Ede and Mrs Eunice Adijat Oni of Ile-Ikolaba, Ejigbo, Osun State.
He started his Primary Education at Iseki-Olori Baptist Day School, Ede and finished as the best overall student, he was a prefect at Wesley College Practising School, Elekuro, Ibadan in the year 1982 after which he proceeded to Olubadan High School, Aperin, Ibadan between 1982-1984. He finished his Secondary School Education and sat for His West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) at Loyola College, Ibadan in 1987 as one of the best graduating students, Light Prefect and Food/Dinning Prefect for the College.
As for his post secondary education, he attended the first Polytechnic in Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and studied Mechanical Engineering for his OND before he was enlisted into the prestigious Armed Forces University, Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 44th Regular Combatant Course in 1992 as the only Engineering Officer Cadet representing Osun State. He later left the Armed Forces for the gospel ministry for reasons best known to him. This decision led him to study at the Bible Training For Pastors Institution (USA), Côte d’Ivoire Chapter where he obtained a degree in Theology and presently running Project Management as a course at the University of Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire.
In lieu of the certificate obtained at the Theological School, he was ordained as a Pastor in the year 2000 and started ministerial works. He has ministered in several churches both Nigeria and West Africa sub regions. He is the President and General Overseer of Olorunsogo Apostolic Church (Woli-Olorire) a.k.a God’s Glory Covenant Ministry International.
As a leader, he has been successful in several business transactions and these included: Creation of Travel Agency (Adefem voyages) which covers about 80% transactions of peoples travelling in Abidjan; Special Consultant for the Guaranty Trust Bank, Côte d’Ivoire; he Joined Mme Christina Powell, an American to established Citrine Management Group in Côte d’Ivoire as an Executive Consultant; he is Chapter Head of the International Council of Community Churches USA, Côte D’Ivoire Chapter.
Prince Ayodeji Eniola-Oni is a man of accountability and happily married and blessed with Children.
Presently, an aspirant under the umbrella of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), he has begun mobilization and consultation of prominent political players, including the former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the actualization of his ambition.
Inspite the perceived insignificance of his party, DPP, Eniola-Oni seems not to be worry, as he insisted that the ruling APC and the main opposition party, PDP constitute no threat to his ambition in any way.
The call for zoning the governorship seat to Osunn West seems to be given Eniola-Oni the confidence that he stand a better chance of winning the election, because he hails from Ede, in Osun West Senatorial District.
