•Why The YEWA People Are Rallying Round Him
•Why He Enjoys So Much Support
There is a governorship candidate in Ogun State who everyone is talking about right now. He is Barrister Olubiyi Otegbeye. He is one of the top contenders for the governorship in the state.
His rise and rise over the last few weeks have been a big surprise to many political watchers. His ambition is going to pitch him against the incumbent Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and other candidates.
Revealed an insider, the odds are clearly in his favour to win the elections in 2023. City People gathered that he enjoys tremendous support from powerful political forces in the state.
Who is Barrister Olubiyi Otegbeye who is followers call BOT? He is a brilliant politician who is an accomplished businessman.
He graduated from the University of Lagos at the age of 20, became the CEO of an Insurance Brokerage Firm at the age of 23; founded a thriving insurance company at the age of 29 and the company remains one of the leading publicly quoted insurance companies in Nigeria today.
He was appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in 2013 and established an NGO called Building Opportunities For Tomorrow (BOT) in 2010
Barrister Olubiyi Oladipupo Otegbeye is the founder and Group Managing Director of Regency Alliance Insurance Plc. He had his early education at Christ Church School, Porogun Alapo, Ijebu Ode, Comprehensive High School, Ayeyoro, and CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos. He holds WASC and HSC certificates.
At the age of 20, he graduated from the University of Lagos in 1984 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Insurance in 1987, and with a Master’s Degree (MBA) in Financial Management and Accountancy. He qualified as an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London (ACI) in 1988.
Otegbeye studied Law at Lagos State University and graduated with LL.B in Law in 2001. He went to the Nigerian Law School and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2003 as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Following his NYSC placement at Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation, Otegbeye began his working career as a Senior Manager at the United Nigeria Insurance Company Limited (UNIC) in 1986. In 1991, he was the General Manager, of Capital Asset Insurance Brokers and he became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Excel Insurance Brokers. Otegbeye founded Regency Insurance Company Limited in 1993 at the age of 30. The company became a publicly quoted Insurance Company – Regency Alliance Insurance Plc in 2007.
In 2012, Otegbeye was appointed by the Ogun State Governor to serve as a member of the fact-finding panel of Gateway Industrial and Petroleum Institute, Onne, and in recognition of his contribution to national development, he was appointed as Chairman of Governing Board of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in April 2013 by the then President of Nigeria. From 2018 to 2019, he served as a member of the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission.
Otegbeye is also a member of Olabisi Onabanjo University Development Foundation, a Fellow Lecturer, University of Lagos, Fellow, School of Management, The Bells University and a Fellow, School of Management, Caleb University. He is a recipient of many recognitions and awards including the Merit Award, Ogun State Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Merit Award, Comprehensive High, Ayeyoro, Old Students Association, Merit Award University of Lagos Alumnus Association, three times Merit Award Distinguished Son of Yewa and recently recognised in Top 25 CEOs Award for Companies Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
He sits on the Board of many companies either as Chairman or Director.
He is a compassionate man who is reputed for his zeal in youth education and empowerment in Ogun State. He is the Founder of Building Opportunities For Tomorrow (BOT), an NGO established in 2010 for youth development, women empowerment and medical intervention. The impressive initiative has impacted over 27,000 beneficiaries to date.
In terms of his political affiliation, Otegbeye was a proud member of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Ilaro Ward 1, Ogun West Senatorial District. Before becoming an APM member, he was a member of APC. In 2015, he was the Senatorial Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Ogun West Senatorial District. In 2019, he was the APC candidate for the Yewa South/ Ipokia House of Representatives election.
Aside from his business and political interests, Otegbeye is passionate about his continuous education and development. He has attended several local and international conferences at world-renowned institutions, some of which include: Northwestern University, Management Institute of Technology (MIT), Columbia Business School, Chartered Insurance Institute, Lloyds of London, etc. He has also presented several papers, many of which have been published locally and internationally on the subjects of insurance, Law, Corporate Governance, Business Ethics, Retirement Planning and Youth Development.
He is happily married to Dr. Comfort Otegbeye and the family is blessed with three children.
Before he went to ADC, he was in Ogun APC and at that time, he promised to lift 4,800 households out of poverty if elected into office as the next governor office the state in 2023.
Otegbeye stated this during his declaration to contest for the office saying that he remains the only aspirant capable to rescue the state from insecurity and poor economy.
The governorship aspirant who is the founder and Group Managing Director of Regency Alliance Insurance said the main focus of his government would be Poverty Alleviation.
Otegbeye who was a former House of Representatives candidate in the 2019 election pledged to unify the State through purposeful leadership that would turn around the fortune of the Gateway State.
“If by the grace of God and the wisdom of our distinguished delegates here present, I win our party’s nomination, I will be offering the unifying political leadership that Ogun State urgently needs and which our great party will be proud of.
“Today, I offer myself as a catalyst in breaking the cycle of poverty in Ogun State. With my experience, I intend to lead a statewide effort to mobilise the private, public and nonprofit sectors together to create solutions that are innovative, practical and relevant to our people.
“Every policy and project we put forward as a government will have an immediate Poverty Alleviation Content (IMPACT).
“80 per cent of Ogun State households think the reduction of poverty should be the priority of the government. The economic and social return on investment from lifting 100 households out of poverty monthly will reduce poverty by 40 per cent while increasing purchasing power and GDP in our local community.
“As governor, I will lead the fight against Poverty in Ogun State because Poverty has a widespread impact, contributing to issues like crime, unemployment, poor health, domestic violence, social vices, isolation and depression.
“The cost of basic needs of life has risen faster than both the rate of inflation and wages. A growing number of households earn less than what it costs to maintain a household survival budget,” he said.
One of those who have supported Barrister Olubiyi Otegbeye (BOT) is Prof. Yemi Oke, the Bada Baamofin of Egbaland who in a recent article dated 24th August 2022 titled YEWA 23 or Never, wrote that it is better for Yewa to take a shot at the governorship now.
“It is an insult to collective sensibilities of Yewa-Awori people for those whose “Yewa” origin is an issue of unresolved controversies, to attempt to “induce” Yewa leaders, chiefs, elites and others to “postpone” the quest for their legitimate right to fairness, equity and justice which has consistently been denied to them since the creation of Ogun State in 1976″.
“The speculative “turn” of Yewa in 2027 may NEVER happen, as it will definitely throw up at least eight (8) prominent indigenes of Yewa-Awori from various political parties, for the governorship contest. But, please quote for future references, EGBA people will field only one (1) candidate for the race. Your guess is as good as mine! Who knows tomorrow? So, we say: “YEWA FOR GOVERNOR, NOW OR NEVER” !!!
“The emergence of Barr. Olubiyi Otegbeye (BOT) as a popular and indeed solace for better governance in Ogun State is a divine project. Only God ordains and enthrones unto any form of leadership, including as a Governor, Senator or any leadership position. The overwhelming support openly and covertly given to BOT by well-informed, enlightened and fair-minded Ogun State indigenes and residents are pointers to trends to be unfolded in the race to Oke-Mosan in the year 2023. This quest is anchored on sustaining the lofty and noble quest for justice of all three former Governors in Ogun State. And I dare say, none of them is as unconscionable to now assume that justice would be denied perpetually to a vital segment of Ogun State, the Yewa-Awori people. Every indication point to the fact that: THE TIME FOR A YEWA GOVERNOR IS NOW!
“Unknown to many, the last 3 Governors of Ogun State had, at several times and to a varied extent, deployed their best of Human and Material resources to identify with the fair and legitimate quest of OGUN WEST (Yewa/Awori) to occupy the seat of leadership as Governor of Ogun State. As a matter of fact, the Yewa people would readily point out to you the strategic Ipokia-Agosha-sha road/bridge and others constructed by Governor Osoba. The tacit support of Governor Osoba for EGBADO (YEWA) candidates to succeed him during the SDP era and his renewed interest to hand over to a YEWA man after his second term in the AD-era was one of the reasons why it was easier for Governor Daniel to team-up with the then Senator Amosun in 2003 to defeat Governor Osoba and truncate the latter’s second (third) term bid.
Prof. Afolabi Olabimtan was the most prominent and preferred option. Governor Osoba had an unwritten pact to support YEWA for Governor after his tenure. The Dr Otegbeyes, Dr. Ibikunles and Akin Odunsis and others were his allies and pact-arrangers. Osoba’s desire to run for the 3rd term in 2003, having been Governor under SDP in 991/93 and in 1999-2003 caused a major rift which put an end to the YEWA agenda, as Governor Gbenga Daniel, from Remo Sagamu subsequently won by defeating Segun Osoba and was in the saddle from 2003-2011.”
“Like Governor Aremo Osoba, Governor Gbenga Daniel was the most punished and victimized for daring to “stubbornly” hand over to a YEWA man. OGD’s resolve was total and unrepentantly! This marked the beginning of the battles against OGD. In the race to succeed OGD were Dimeji Bankole, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Alh. Sarafa Isola (now High Commissioner to UK) while Baba OBJ gave strategic support to anti-OGD forces. All Egba aspirants teamed up, irrespective of political affiliations, to bring OGD down on his knees. The House of Assembly was polarized into G-11 vs G-15. The battle became wild and dangerous.
The writer, Egba was against his brothers and sister Egba’s antagonists on the side of OGD. Miraculously, our pro-OGD G-11 removed the G-15 and Hon. Soyemi Coker became Speaker while Rt. Hon Egbetokun and others were kicked out. It was a session of betrayals, all because OGD was desperate for a YEWA man as Governor. Another Yewa leader, late General Olurin, who had initially declined to OGD to run, was brought in. He was backed by the late Buruji Kashamu. It was a ploy to divide YEWA votes. Gboyega Isiaka was schemed out through the Judgement of the late Justice Karafati. We moved to PPN. I inherited 39 pro-bono files of PPN candidates that lost when they were joined in Tribunal cases despite that they were not challenging the outcome.”
“OGD government was undermined by the ones he brought. Hon Egbetokun was invited from the UK by OGD. Wale Adedayo (Babalawo) who originated the term “ZIGGY- ZIGGILIZATION” with me, was brought by OGD; Tunde Oladunjoye who later became Chairman of Ijebu-North-East, and an arch enemy was brought by OGD through the late Mrs Remi Oyo. The death of ACP Adelodun led to a major crisis.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole deployed the House of Reps to take over the legislative functions of the Ogun State House of Assembly. Gladly, the writer again led the legal team to get the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, per Ofili-Ajumo-Gobia to reverse the ugly trend. The battles raged on.
Recall proceedings were initiated against Rt. Hon Dimeji Bankole. Petitions were also written to the then President, late Umar Yar-Adua to sack Alh. Sarafa as Minister for Mines and Steels Development. Phoney petitions were written against OGD by the Oladunjoyes, Adedayos and others. The battle was tough and it spread dangerously. There were several victims. In the end, OGD lost the battles for YEWA Governorship. He also had other losses as a result of daring to champion the course of justice and fairness for the YEWA people. The rest is history.”
“Beyond doubts, comparatively, the most committed advocate of equity and fairness to the YEWA agenda is the immediate past Governor of Ogun State, His Excly., Senator Ibukunle Amosun, FCA, CFR. His approach to the issue is total, resolute, and unflinching. Unlike the duo of former Governors Osoba and Daniel, Governor Amosun is more dedicated, unrelenting and undeterred in his support for the YEWA people. Like Osoba and Daniel, he has also suffered losses both financial and otherwise. SIA, as he is fondly called has committed the most human and material resources to the course of the YEWA people. While the last two former Governors seem to have given up after leaving office, Senator Amosun appears even much more determined and committed after leaving office as Governor of Ogun State. He gave our friend, Triple A, his all in terms of support. He was blunt, total and extremely generous in a bid to ensure the emergence of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade as Governor. Votes got mutilated by the refusal of the YEWA people to pursue a unity of agenda. Gboyega Isiaka (GNI) was in the ballot with Triple A. YEWA people voted massively for both Triple-A and GNI. Still, the vote was a spilt-vote and Triple-A lost narrowly, under most questionable circumstances.”
“Senator Amosun’s pursuit of fairness to reclaim their mandate vested in Akinlade went all through from Tribunal to Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court. SIA and his team lost, but certainly not defeated. He remained resolute.”
“Justice beckons again. This time around, the YEWA people will be having the singular most viable option of voting for only one original YEWA man, OLUBIYI OTEGBEYE (BOT). BOT is not new in the game. His approach to politicking and pursuit of charity and kindness to the less-privileged is one of “your left does not see what your right is donating”. He makes no noise. Even when he gives of his kindness and resources to a twin, neither Taye nor Kehinde would notice unless they offer to self-disclose. BOT is a humane professional. He is calm, calculative and dogged. Highly intelligent. He succeeded in several human endeavours where most of his contemporaries have failed. He was the choice of the YEWA people under SIA in 2018/9 but destiny opted for Triple-A. This time around, nature beckons and made him the unanimous choice. BOT became generally accepted as the preferred candidate of the entire YEWA/AWORI, and this is fully backed by all right-thinking, progressive indigenes and residents of Ogun State.
BOT is a beautiful ‘wine” that everyone desires to “drink”. What makes his candidacy unique is the fact that everyone buys in and owns the process, and is all ready to give of their time, energy and resources to collaboratively ensure a landslide victory for BOT as the next Governor of Ogun State. It is more gladdening that His Excly, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, CON is even much more determined to succeed where his predecessors, Osoba and Daniel seem to have failed in their pursuit of equity, justice, and fairness in governance for the YEWA people. It would be mindless of anyone to assume since SIA decides to pursue God’s value of fairness, he is “playing God”. Haba! SIA is not likely to derive any personal benefits from YEWA Governorship (which destiny has not already given him by divine providence) beyond fulfilling his promise to God, his Creator, which is to the effect that he (SIA), shall collaborate with all fair-minded Ogun citizens to continue championing and pursuing justice and fairness for the people of YEWA, no matter what it takes!
“BOT is “The ANSWER” in search of “the QUESTION” as to why has it been impossible for a YEWA indigene to govern Ogun State. Which of the YEWA indigenes is destined to govern Ogun State, and when? Perhaps, YEWA has been unable to become Governor of Ogun State because of human factors, and/or God’s timing. Remember the “OTEDOLA” episode in Lagos State in the early 1990s in the SDP/NRC era? Both factors have now coalesced in favour of BARR. OLUBIYI OTEGBEYE- BOT to bring justice, fairness and equity to the people of YEWA.
THE TIME FOR A YEWA GOVERNOR IS NOW!
‘YEWA LO’KAN, OTEGBEYE OTEGBEYE (‘BOT’) LO MAA SEE!!!!
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