A SALUTE TO STEWARDSHIP AND A BIRTHDAY
TRIBUTE TO OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL (OGD) –
APRIL 06, 2008
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By
Hon. (Mrs.) Tomi Soboyejo
Former Member, Federal House of Representatives (Ikeja, Lagos-State)
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Child naming in Yoruba land is a serious matter and
not given with a pinch of salt but with prayerful meditation because names have
meanings. Predestination is a reality in the Yoruba Mythology. They believe that
the success or failure of any man depends to a large extent on the type of
choice he or she made in heaven. This belief in Predestination is used to
explain the success or failure of every man on earth. Predestination is given
different Yoruba names: Ayanmo (Choice); Ipori (Inner-head); Ipin (Pre-destined
Share) or Kadara (Divine Share). Predestination is linked with inner head (Ori).
Yoruba regard Ori as one of the gods in their pantheon. Every man’s ori is
thereby regarded as his personal god and is worshipped and propitiated. The
concept of ori is vital to Ifa divination; a Yoruba Mythology.
Those who have the belief in Predestination claim that though one's personal
destiny (ori inu) is defined before coming into the world, a significant degree
of self-determination allows one to make decisions that enable one to fulfill
that destiny. The Jews (Israelites) have similarities with the Yoruba Nation
when it comes to naming a Child. Examples of pre-determined names or names
through prayerful meditation that shaped the lives of those children are many in
the Scriptures. One of the most important names that shaped the whole World is
Jesus Christ. This name was prophesized in the Old Testament in particular the
book of Isaiah before the actual birth of Christ. Like the Jews, Yoruba rarely
give a name to a child without a reason or prophetical wishes for the child.
This writer aim is not on Predestination but on the fact that a name a bearer
bears is not just coincidental and it normally adds value to the bearer. OGD is
an acronym of Otunba Gbenga Daniel; a name deeply rooted in God and God’s
values.
The Ogun State Executive Governor’s name is Justus Olugbenga Daniel.
Justus
belongs to the same family of Justice, Justification, Justify, and Just.
Justice, as an attribute of God, is referred to in AV in Job 37:23, Ps 89:14 (RV
‘righteousness’), and Jer. 50:7. In all cases the word is generally represented
by ‘righteousness’. Justification, Justify, are Verb and Noun that originate in
Christian Latin (the Vulgate); Latin analogy affords some excuse for the
Romanist reading of ‘justify’ as ‘make just,’ by which sanctification is
included under justification. It is a term of ethical relationship, not ethical
quality, and signifies the footing on which one is set towards another, not the
character imparted to one. God is a ‘Just’ God who demands same from his elect.
God’s elects emulate the ‘Just’ attribute of God. Whoever deals or has dealt
with the Ogun State Executive Governor knows OGD to be a ‘Just’ Man. The name
Justus was given as surname to three people in the New Testament according to A.
J. Maclean (1) Joseph Barsabbas (Ac 1:23); (2) Titus or Titius, host of St. Paul
at Corinth (Ac 18:7 RV; the MSS vary between these two forms, and some omit the
first name altogether), apparently a Roman citizen converted to Christianity by
the Apostle; and (3) A Jew named Jesus or Joshua who was with St. Paul in his
first Roman imprisonment (Col 4:11). All these three people are witnesses to the
good name and character of whoever bears the name ‘Justus’.
OGD’s middle name, Olugbenga simply means God has elevated me or God has
promoted me and whoever God elevates can not be brought down. Promotion does not
come from North, South, East or West but from God. In OGD’s various endeavours,
God has kept his promise of promotion to him. His elevation to the executive
governorship of Ogun State is from God and no one can change the fact or remove
him by mischievous misrepresentations.
OGD’s Surname ‘Daniel’ seals the promises and prophesies inherent in the first
and middle names. Daniel is a character of the Bible. Two passages in the Book
of Ezekiel (14:14; 28:3), written respectively about B.C. 592 and 587, mention a
certain Daniel as an extraordinarily righteous and wise man, belonging to the
same class as Noah and Job, whose piety availed with God on behalf of their
unworthy contemporaries. All three evidently belonged to the far-distant past:
Ezekiel’s readers were familiar with their history and character. The Book of
Daniel is well known to Christians but the true meaning of the name is
understood by Biblical Scholars and those who understand the book of Daniel in
the Scriptures. Twenty-five centuries ago, Daniel could have despaired. He and
thousands of Jews had been deported to a foreign land after Judah was conquered.
Daniel found himself facing an egocentric despot and surrounded by idolaters.
Instead of giving in or giving up, he held fast to his faith in his God. Daniel
knew that despite the circumstances, God was sovereign and was working out his
plan for nations and individuals.
The book of Daniel centres on this profound truth – the Sovereignty of God. It
is only in Daniel’s prayer in Chapter 9 that we find the personal name ‘Yahweh’.
Its alternative, ‘the Lord’, is also limited to this chapter and 1:2. This
expresses the fact that ‘the God of Daniel (6:26) is not just the God of the
Jews (Yahweh) but is the God, who is God of all nations; the Supreme God of the
pantheon; the Most High (God) and that is the God of OGD. The meanings of OGD’s
names are the keys to understanding the Man and his driving force. His name
revolves round the Sovereignty of the Omnipotent God. OGD’s name is not
separable from his being, his character, his affinity, his passion, and his
politics. The Man (OGD) has proved beyond reasonable doubts his inclination
towards God and the five purposes of his life as itemized by Rick Warren in his
best seller “The purpose Driven Life”. OGD’s five purposes are:
- He was planned for God’s Pleasure;
- He was formed for God’s family;
- He was created to become like Christ;
- He was shaped for serving God; and
- He was made for a Mission.
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OGD’s enemies are always at a loss as to the source of his staying power. It is
a simple fact that he applies his abilities as endowed him by God to his
mission. His effectiveness in governance is in his ‘SHAPE’. SHAPE as applied to
his:
- Spiritual Gifts,
- Heart,
- Abilities,
- Personality, and
- Experience
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OGD has governed Ogun State like a Servant-Leader. No governor of the AD era has
performed excellently well like he has done. He has set up a high qualitative
standard of governance unbeatable in the South-West. His duty now is to start
grooming a successor for sustainability of his vision, mission, targets and
goals for Ogun State while he aims for further National Service. OGD style of
leadership is spiced with equity, justice, fairness, and compassion. His style
of leadership is a blessing from God, and very few leaders possess this
attribute. This unique leadership style makes OGD tower over and above his
peers. It is no wonder then, that he got the massive votes of Ogun State
electorate for a second-term in office.
Yorubas’ are sensitive people and highly enlightened voters. The Yorubas’ from
Ogun State in particular are traditional and historically sought to be led by
leaders with high moral credentials. As a witness to this trait, is the love and
support they gave to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In more ways than can be
enumerated; OGD is like the late sage and leader by his actions and deeds. OGD
has transformed Ogun State and opened investment opportunities never enjoyed
before in the State. The Agricultural Policy of OGD is one of the best in the
world and a re-awakening of Papa Awolowo’s Agricultural ideas. He is indeed a
true Awoist unlike the pretenders of Awolowo political heritage who benefited
using Awo’s name but are not in tune with the Sage’s ideas. We must acknowledge
that OGD is not in power for personal gains for he was already wealthy and
prosperous. He has made his name in Business and had International links ever
before becoming an Executive Governor; but his overriding passion is to serve
humanity. This service to humanity he started when he set up the Gateway Front
Foundation (GFF). Prior to GFF, OGD has been an individual philanthropist and he
has touched several people, the needy and the poor not only in Ogun State but in
the whole of Federation. His many tittles given out on merits attest to his
generousity and wide acceptability.
His opponents in the April 2007 election over-rated themselves and forgot that
OGD has a formidable grassroots’ follower-ship and is well accepted by the Ogun
State electorate. Like Moses chose people to assist him following the advise of
Jethro (his father-in-law), OGD chose people that are assisting him to govern
Ogun State; this has enabled him to govern well. The Man OGD is truly the
‘Bridge’ and the ‘Choice’ of Ogun People. His ‘Contract with Ogun People’
heralded his first coming. He stated in the Contract documents’ Introduction
that: “It was a sincere, candid and original expression of an admixture of the
vintage political and economic blueprint meticulously prepared for Ogun State’s
administration based on the experience gathered during his ward to ward tour of
the State.” People of Ogun State can testify that he never compromised but
adhered strictly to this contract, no wonder they massively voted for him for a
second-term in office despite all the bad-belles.
Law is classified in Academics as an Art, while Mathematics is classified as
Science Subject. Politics encompasses both Art and Science. OGD opponents
parading the tribunals are seeking nullification of peoples’ votes and choice
based on law. Mathematical addition, multiplication and even subtraction of
massive votes cast by the people for His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel can
not be wished away for those votes gave him the much desired victory. No
Tribunal can nullify the decision of the good people of Ogun State. My plea to
these opponents is to respect the will of the people and be good losers. Let
them embrace democratic values and go back to the drawing board preparatory for
the next election in 2011. They are just fighting God who has enthroned OGD and
the wrath of God is devastating worse than any Tsunami. OGD should not loose
sleep on their nefarious activities. He should continue in love to do what he
knows how to do best; serving God and humanity. God’s promise to OGD in Joshua
1:5 is ‘Never to leave him nor forsake him’. God promises remain steadfast for
him as he keeps walking with God regardless of what he encounters. He should not
be afraid of opposition; certain people will always stand up against him.
Les Parrott identifies the types of people who will do this in his book ‘High
Maintenance Relationships’. They are:
- Critics who constantly complain or give unwanted advice.
- Martyrs who are forever the victim and wracked with self-pity.
- Wet blankets who are pessimistic and habitually negative.
- Steam rollers who are blindly insensitive to others.
- Gossips who spread rumours and leak secrets.
- Control freaks who are unable to let go and let things be.
- Back-Stabbers who are two faced.
- Green-eyed monsters who seeth with envy.
- Volcanoes who build steam and are always ready to erupt.
- Sponges who are always needy and never give anything back.
- Competitors who always keep track of tit-for-tat.
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These are the type of people OGD is expected to lead; so be
strong and be more passionate. Continue to do the right things,
moment by moment, and day by day. My birthday gift today, April 06,
2008 to OGD, A MAN OF HONOUR, is the BENEDICTION OF ARCHBISHOP
VINING TO AN ASSEMBLY OF YOUTHS ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 1954:
“THE LORD BLESS YOU
HOW SHALL HE BLESS YOU?
WITH THE GLADNESS THAT KNOWETH NO DECAY
WITH THE RICHNESS THAT CANNOT PASS AWAY,
WITH THE SUNSHINE THAT MAKES AN ENDLESS DAY
THUS MAY HE BLESS YOU
AND KEEP YOU
HOW SHALL HE KEEP YOU?
WITH THE ALL COVERING SHADOW OF HIS WING,
WITH THE STRONG LOVE THAT GUARD FROM EVIL THINGS.
WITH THE SURE POWER THAT SAFE TO GLORY BRINGS
THUS WILL HE KEEP YOU?"
In addition, I pray the Psalmist prayer in Ps 90:17 for you:
MAY THE FAVOUR OF THE LORD OUR GOD REST UPON YOU;
ESTABLISH THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS FOR YOU –
YES, ESTABLISH THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!; To my great Leader and Peoples’ Governor.“
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