In Celebration Of A Quintessential Leader And Compassionate Boss, Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju On His Birthday.

In Celebration Of A Quintessential Leader And Compassionate Boss, Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju On His Birthday.

By Oyeniyi Iwakun

My first encounter with Hon. Dele Gboluga Ikengboju was around November, 2018. This was during my days as a maritime journalist at MMS Plus Newspapers in Lagos. He had invited me to manage his campaign activities on the media space.

Before then, I have heard a lot about one cerebral UK based pharmacist who had defeated a sitting House of Representatives Member at Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency’s primary election to clinch the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in 2015. His contributions to Ikale communities were topics of discuss everywhere.

Talking about his political participation, Hon Gboluga became more popular when he wasn’t allowed to feature at the general election as a result of some internal squabbles in the party at that moment (a story for another day). As at that time, I had migrated back to the PDP with the “Gbasibe’s” faction from the Labour Party.

Going forth, a comrade friend of mine Tunde Ogunsakin wouldn’t give me a breathing space as he wanted me to consider joining the team projecting his boss to represent our constituency at the Green Chamber. Of course, this may have contributed hugely to my decision making and easy subscription to the project when I received a call from “De Principal” himself (as I fondly call him) to take up such role thereafter.

Fortunately for us, we recorded victory at the polls around Februrary 2019 and I immediately returned to my base in Lagos to resume work. This moment marked a period of interregnum in our political relationship. I had taken up another assignment with Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA) barely a month that I resumed to MMS Plus Newspapers. (An interesting story for another day too).

Finally, around August, 2020, I joyfully accepted the assignment to be his Media Aide again. This was in the build up to the 2020 gubernatorial elections. The party’s candidate Eyitayo Jegede SAN had just picked him, Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju as his running mate. I was to work with him directly and this would further avail me the medium to know him better despite his busy schedules.

During this period, I maximized every opportunity available to engage him on issues in tandem with his ideology and disposition to the interest of the masses. In Hon. Dele Gboluga Ikengboju, I see a man filled with passion and ideas to turn things around for good. A gentle personality with uncommon sagacity. I discovered a brilliant personality who projects and prepares ahead for every imminent tasks, no matter how difficult.

I see in him a man with the burning desire and high spirit to liberate his people from the shackles of poverty. A compassionate leader who prioritizes the interest of his people and everyone around him.

Hon. Gboluga is a generous person who derives pleasure in giving out to the needy and vulnerable. He combines the traits and skills of old and contemporary politics in advancing his political interest.

Another rare quality worthy of emulation in him is his preparedness at all times that you can never catch him unaware. I think one of the reasons he defeated two incumbents successively and subsequently his nomination as Deputy Governorship Candidate.

To us as personal aides, he is a father who always ensures that everyone around him gets the best.

The renowned pharmacist has changed the narratives in terms of representation by giving the Ikale people quality and transformational leadership. Within two years in office, thousands of lives have been touched, and numerous projects have been executed and many still underway.

Ladies and gentlemen, join me in celebrating a man of honour, a leader of repute, a man with high Intellectual disposition, sagacity and humanitarian per excellence today being his birthday.

Sir, I wish you many more years on earth in sound health and wealth. Once again, Happy Birthday.

Oyeniyi Iwakun is the Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to Hon. Dele Gboluga Ikengboju, Representating Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency at the National Assembly