Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, will clock 60 on the 25th of January, 2018. The 2-term governor is leaving no stone unturned as he is set to have a grand celebration to mark his Diamond Jubilee.
Recall that the Governor gave out his daughter’s hand in marriage in 2017 and the event uptill now is still the talk of the town. His 60th birthday is also going to be grand according to an inside source. Plans are in top gear as this will be his last major celebration in office as the Governor of Ogun State.
Many don’t know Gov. Amosun’s story from his days as Senator for the Ogun Central district of Ogun State, in April 2003. In April 2007, he made an unsuccessful bid to become the governor of Ogun State. Again he ran for Governorship election in 2011, and this time round, he was elected on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform. He ran for the 2nd Term in 2015 and won. He was into office May 29, 2015. Even after being elected governor he still goes about with the title; Senator. This might not be unconnected with the Senator for Life Act.
Many don’t know Gov. Amosun’s story. He was born on 25 January 1958 to a Muslim family. He had his primary education at African Church Primary school in Abeokuta (1965–1970), and then African Church Grammar school, Abeokuta (1971 – 1977). He then went to Ogun State Polytechnic, graduating with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in 1983. Amosun gained an Associate membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 1990. He became a fellow of the Institute in 1996. He also became an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (1998).
Amosun began his career as an audit trainee with Lanre Aremu & Co. (Chartered Accountants) 1984. Later, he joined XtraEdge Consulting as a Managing Consultant. From 1990, he was Principal partner of Ibikunle Amosun & Co. (Chartered Accountants) in Lagos. Amosun went to the University of Westminster in London, United Kingdom, where he acquired a Master of Arts in International Finance in 2000.
In April 2003, Ibikunle Amosun was elected to the senatorial seat of Ogun Central Senatorial district. He was an unsuccessful candidate as he tried to become Governor of Ogun State in April 2007, running on the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) platform, but was defeated by Gbenga Daniel. He disputed the result, but in August 2009 the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition. Amosun lived up to his status as a Distinguished Senator by amplification of the voice of the masses. He moved several motions and sponsored many Bills on issues that touched the day-to-day life of not only members of his immediate constituency, but also Ogun State and the nation in general.
He was particularly instrumental to some of the landmark reforms of the era, especially in telecommunications, customs and excise and other strategic sub-sectors of the Nigerian Economy. Some of the Bills include: Local Content Solid Minerals Development Bill, 2005, Fire Service Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2005, Income Tax Relief Bill for Sports Development, 2005.
Amosun was the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for April 2011 Ogun State gubernatorial election. A report in the Nigerian Tribune on 12 February, 2011 quoted his media aide as saying he had switched camp to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), but it was denied by ACN officials. Amosun won the 26 April elections running on the ACN platform with 377,489 votes. Adetunji Olurin of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) polled 188,698 votes and Gboyega Isiaka of the People’s Party of Nigeria PPN came third with 137,051 votes.
In 2015 Amosun stood for a second term as governor. He chose, Yetunde Onanuga, as his running mate. He had to find a new running mate as his previous deputy governor had defected to an opposition party. Amosun chose Onanuga, who was a worker in the Lagos State Ministry of Environment,
A welfarist, he believes that the rich are obliged to cater for the poor and underprivileged in the society. His government policy thrust is anchored on a strong partnership between public and private sectors. While the government has the responsibility to provide an enabling environment, to achieve sustainable economic growth and social development, the private sector must play the pivotal role.
Senator Amosun’s ability to create job opportunities and boost national wealth huge capability for critical thinking remains his core leadership attribute, in addition to his commitment to transparency and accountability. He approaches every responsibility and task with an infectious passion, commitment and perseverance. A leader, who leads by example, he has the knack to identify assemble, and nurture talents to create a motivated team with capacity to deliver optimal output.
SIA as he is fondly called believes that the provision of amenities and social development cannot be left to government alone. He, therefore, instituted a scholarship scheme in 1986, several years before venturing into politics, which he later institutionalised by setting up the Senator Ibikunle Amosun Scholarship Foundation (SIASF) on Thursday, 7 July 2005. He has awarded scholarships to over 1,000 students of Ogun State origin, in various institutions of higher learning.
A consummate philanthropist, Senator Amosun’s generosity and quest to uplift others transcends the award of scholarships. He has set up various other subsisting empowerment initiatives for trade groups, artisans, communities, women and other vulnerable groups in the society. His alma maters – African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta and Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), also in Abeokuta – have beneffited from his generous disposition to give back to the society. He built and commissioned an Administrative Block at African Church Grammar School, among other similar gestures. His leadership qualities and outstanding achievements have earned him recognition nationally and internationally.
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