Before I dwell on the issue at hand, I’d like to note that Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi Project 2023, otherwise known as “GbagiTrust 2023”, is widely acceptable to other ethnic nationalities in Delta State.
His sojourn across the 25 local government areas of the state during his visit to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmen and delegates, is another feat that best describes his popularity and the yearning of Deltans to have an Industrialist in the saddle come 2023.
As the 2023 governorship election gathers momentum, it is worth mentioning that Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has no dispute about his paternity and maternity.
Chief Kenneth Gbagi, born in Sapele on September 22, 1961 to the families of Chief and Mrs. Robinson Gbagi, of Oginibo in Ughelli south and Idjere Kingdom in Jesse Ethiope West local government area of Delta State.
Gbagi is an erudite scholar
He had his early education at the Bishop Johnson Memorial Primary School, Sapele, from where he proceeded to Kosofe Community High School, Lagos for his West African School Certificate and GCE O’ levels respectively.
He was at Emmanuel L. Quezon University in the Philippines for his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Criminology, a course and program he is so passionate about. In his bid to adequately situate his skills in Criminology, Olorogun Gbagi came back to Nigeria to study law at the University of Lagos, and subsequently attended the Nigeria Law School (Lagos Campus), where he was called to the Nigerian Bar on successful completion of the programme.
Not one to be labelled as a slow starter or to wait for peanuts from employers, Gbagi launched into the business arena head-on, starting off Geekos Security Nigeria Limited. This company, where he is the Chairman, is responsible for setting-up and maintaining the entire physical and electrical security infrastructure of most banks and net-worth individuals in Nigeria. It is interesting to note that Geekos Security Nigeria Limited provided the foundation for the entire Gbagi’s conglomerate.
A dogged politician
Between 1998/1999, Gbagi, is among the three Deltans to launch the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the state. He ran elections with Chief James Onanefe Ibori. Since then, he has remained in the party and has waited for the governorship to come back to Delta Central for him to take a shot.
Gbagi, has contributed positively to the building of the party, hence Senator Francis Osakwe, said: “Gbagi has paid his dues. It is time for Deltans to reward him”.
A bridge builder
If elected governor, Gbagi, will be the best thing to happen to state. First, he will return Delta to the path of peace; mutual suspicion will cease; feeling of ethnic dominance will drastically reduce; there will be a sense of inclusiveness and belonging by all ethnic nationalities because Gbagi is known for fairness, justice and equity in his private business life. This he will bring to power as governor. Insecurity will drastically reduce, if not eliminated.
Presently, he has Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Urhobos, Ijaws, Isokos, Aniomas, name it, in his employment and friends including foreign nationals and partners. Gbagi, have not been known, is not known and will not be known for tribalism. He is not just coming to impact on Deltans as he is already doing so in his private business life but he is coming to develop the state with his entrepreneurial skills.
Trusted, tested and proven
Amongst all gunning for the governorship in Delta Central, Gbagi, is the most reliable, dependable and credible person having been tested and trusted over time; remember we are talking about state interest. The larger interest, which is the unity of the state, is currently at stake as we head towards 2023 general elections and the good people of Delta are truly concerned.
Trust is the hardest currency in a democratic leadership like Delta State. In times like this, you don’t need to guess. It’s good to be sure about your choice in relation to the prevailing exigency. That is why Deltans want Gbagi. He has been tested and proven. No guess work this time.
His aspiration to govern Delta is borne out of his burden to alleviate poverty. Olorogun Gbagi, is coming with clean hands and records. In several fora, he has told those who care to listen that all the cheques has gotten in his life, a copy of each is with him. He is not coming to steal or use the common patrimony to expand his personal empire. “Truly, God has blessed me”, he echoed in one of his tours.
A good product
It is often said that a good product sells itself because it is attractive and so it naturally attracts patronage. That is what we are witnessing in the case of the former minister of education. Delta is standing on the brink of its unity and history. The state needs urgent rescue through a trustworthy, detriabilized and sincere democratic leadership that will rebuild confidence and faith in the state and that is what Gbagi represents.
When you look at it from this common denominator, you would discover that every segment of the state is hungry and anxious to have him. Gbagi stands for equity and justice and so we saw in his time as former minister of education, a democratic leadership that is the very definition of equitable political and economic governance. He was fair to all in the distribution of federal institutions, Gbagi left indelible footprints in Nigeria and Delta in particular.
He is an authority
You will recall that Delta South has done eight years under the former governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan. Now, the south holds the position of the Deputy Governor close to another eight years in the person of Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro. That is more than a fair share for the South alone. As long as the South is concerned, they will be asking for too much in seeking to occupy government house this soon again. It is left for delegates to determine through a transparent democratic process how the governor will emerge.
Father of nine responsible, respectful and successful Children
Not so much focus has been thrown on Gbagi’s private life in recent times. However, the largest private investor in Delta State, is married to the delectable Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi JCA and blessed with nine successful children.
Aside Gbagi’s industrialization plans, Deltans need a man that is vast, well schooled. Gbagi, has equally supported several politicians in the country and state. He supported the present House of Assembly member representing Ughelli South State Constituency, Hon. Reuben Yakubu Izeze, when the former governor, Dr. Uduaghan, pleaded on his behalf.
Gbagi, supported Peter Mrakpor, as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, when the incumbent governor pleaded on his behalf. He supported the former Councillors, Hon. Luckyson Oniyan and nominated Emmanuel Ogboru, the current Councilor. Gbagi, is a helper and no doubt a king maker. When has it become a crime for a king maker to become a king?
I present to you a celebrated barrister at law, solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, an entrepreneur, a politician, a technocrat, one time Federal Minister of Education, Criminologist, educationist, philanthropist, community and opinion leader, security consultant, public servant, composite insurer, father, husband and multiple award winning achiever, Olorogun (Barr) Kenneth Omemevwa Gbagi FNIM.
