Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former Ogun State governor and senator representing Ogun East has addressed the intention behind his establishment of The Compass newspaper, refuting claims that it was intended to oppose Senator Bola Tinubu. In a recent interview with a national newspaper, Daniel discussed these misconceptions and highlighted the extensive developmental work undertaken during his tenure, much of which he felt was underreported.
Reflecting on the media environment during his administration, Daniel stated, “I took over from a newspaper mogul, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and the implication of that was I not expected to get good press. The sympathy was really not with me; it was with my predecessor. People thought I would crash within a few weeks.”
Facing persistent negative press, Daniel felt compelled to create a media outlet to accurately document and publicize his administration’s achievements. He emphasized that the establishment of The Compass was a strategic move to counteract biased media coverage rather than a tool for political vendetta. “We needed to have a platform to also record what we were doing. We did a lot of work that people still do not know,” he explained.
Daniel lamented the lack of social media at the time, which would have allowed for more direct communication with the public without reliance on traditional media channels. “Unfortunately, we did not have the level of social media that we have today. If that existed, nobody would need the traditional media,” he noted.
In recounting his administration’s accomplishments, Daniel highlighted several key initiatives:
- Airport Project: Daniel pointed out that the International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ilisha-Remo, currently being advanced by the incumbent governor, was part of his administration’s master plan. “We did everything we needed to do, we got all the approvals before we left. But you people (press) will not report it,” he said.
- Free Trade Zones: Daniel’s administration secured three free trade zones in Ogun State—the Olokola Free Trade Zone, Kajola Transportation Free Trade Zone, and Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone. These zones were designed to boost industrialization and economic growth in the region. Despite the Dangote Refinery project moving to Lagos, Daniel maintained that the Olokola site’s intended location in Ijebuland meant the region hadn’t lost out entirely.
- Educational Institutions: Daniel enumerated the numerous educational institutions established during his tenure, including Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic in Ijebu-Igbo, Gateway Polytechnic in Sapade, Tai Solarin University of Education, and several others. He emphasized the transformative impact these institutions had on the state’s educational system.
- Industrialization: Daniel noted the development of the Sagamu Interchange area into a major industrial hub, now housing companies like Nestle, Coleman Cables, CTK, and international breweries. “That axis now is probably the biggest industrial zone in the country. It is the fastest growing industrial arena in the entire country,” he said.
Addressing the media directly, Daniel humorously added, “There’s a whole lot that you people refused to report for us (laughs).” Otunba Gbenga Daniel underscored his administration’s significant, albeit underreported, contributions to Ogun State’s development. He clarified the true purpose behind establishing The Compass and reaffirmed his commitment to the state’s progress.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
