PASSPORT FOR SERVICE
Despite the daunting socio-economic, financial and family challenges, I ensured that the early obstacles did not deter me from seeking and acquiring the best in education and personal development training. My quest for excellence began from the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Imeko between 1968 and 1973 after which I proceeded to Nazareth High School Imeko between 1973 and 1978.
Between this period and admission into the higher institution, I worked as a Clerical Officer at Yewa (then Egbado) North Local Government; and later Office of the Presidential Liaison Officer, Abeokuta. My first point of call for my higher education was the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta where I was admitted to study Mass Communication in 1981. While there for a few months I realised I was not fulfilled with the career path I was towing and I consequently left the school to pursue a University admission. I was offered admission into the University of Ife (now OAU) to study Accounting in 1982. With hard work and commitment, I graduated by 1986 and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (B.Sc Accounting) in the First Class.
While in the university, I was the Director of Organisation, Yewa (then Egbado) Students Association in 1983/1984 and became the President in 1984/1985. Major highlight of my activities in the association was giving Career talk and organising what was then called the "Brain Trust Competition" among Secondary Schools in Yewa. I proceeded for the one year compulsory NYSC programme in Jos, Plateau state in 1987 with my place of primary assignment at Joseph Akande & Co. Chartered Accountants. My duties were auditing and accounting.
By 1988, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant. In search of knowledge at a higher level, I completed my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Lagos in 1995. I further attended the Senior Management Programme (SMP) from the Lagos Business School in 1998. With over a decade of post Associate membership, I became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA) in 2003.
In addition to being a Chartered Accountant, I am also an Associate, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (ACIS) having completed the institutes three stage examinations, and an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). In furtherance of my bid to attain leadership excellence, I have taken several leadership courses in different parts of the world including Leadership in the 21st Century from the prestigious John F. Kennedy Centre, Harvard University, United States of America in 2009. All these academic certifications, post graduate qualifications, fellowships and honoraria were achieved by dint of hard work, forthrightness, humility and trust in my creator who has been my strength and pillar in times of challenges.
VISA FOR HIGHER CALLING
PRIVATE SECTOR
I believe the many experiences I have had both in the private and public life is for a purpose. The initiative is to consolidate the beautiful work on ground and take the "GATEWAY state TO GREATNESS" level of Human dignity. The rigour and efforts I put into all these academic milestones was never going to be a waste and upon the completion of my youth service, I was retained at Joseph Akande & Co. Chartered accountants; and for about a year, I was in charge of audit and accounts of all the business of the organisation before leaving in 1989.
I joined Lion Bank in 1989 where I functioned in the Audit department. I was able to use my professional knowledge and experience to assist in strengthening the internal control in various spheres of the Bank. My foray into investment banking commenced with my employment in ICON (Merchant Bankers) in 1990, I worked with the Capital Issues and Investments department after a rigorous three months training by the Bank.
In February 1996, I joined Lead Merchant Bank Plc where I was involved in various Wholesale and Investment Banking activities including Project financing, Financial Advisory, Privatisation Advisory, Equity and Debt raising activities. I was also involved in Asset Management and Stockbroking under the Lead Investment Limited brand of Lead Bank. I rose through the ranks to the position of Assistant General Manager (AGM) and Head of the Investment Banking Group overseeing both Investment Banking Group and Lead Investment Limited. During this period, I led various capital raising transactions that include equity raising for First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Afribank Plc, Lion Bank plc, Nigerian German Chemical Plc as well as Advisory service for the privatisation of Nigerdock Plc. During the period, the Bank won the best Issuing House in Nigeria for three consecutive years i.e. 2001 to 2003. Quite importantly, I was a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) committee on new products and processes in the Nigerian Capital market as well as member of the Technical Committee of Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria.
PUBLIC SERVICE
My exposure to public service came by when in November 2003, Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel appointed me as his Special Assistant on Investments; and in April 2004 as the pioneer Group Managing Director of the Gateway Holdings Limited, the Investment Company of the State. I took up the challenge as usual and set in motion a blueprint which has made the organisation the success it is today. Gateway Holdings is indeed a success story today as I and my team had achieved our mandate especially in the areas of Project development and Structuring, Investment Management and Trade Finance.
Gateway Holdings spearheaded and/or assisted in the development of various projects in the state in the last six years including but not limited to Ogun state First Industrial park, Grand Manufacturers Cement Company, Urea Plant, Nahman Gateway Asphalt Limited, Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone and Gateway Savings & Loans Limited to mention a few. Investments and committed investments from these sources are in excess of 500million dollars. The company has also been involved in the identification of investors and project structuring of Gateway International Airport and OK deep seaport projects.
Also, assets and investments that are either drain pipes to the state or being grossly underutilised or outrightly bankrupt have been restructured and their values enhanced through different variants of Public Private partnerships. These include the Gateway Hotels in Abeokuta, Ota, Ijebu Ode, and Lomiro Oil Palm plantations. Investments attracted to the state through these in the last six years are in excess of ₦4billion while employments and potential employment generated are in their thousands.
Furthermore, Gateway Holdings Ltd consolidated the shareholding of the state and ensured an optimal and effective management of the state's quoted stocks which hitherto were not only scattered in various ministries and parastatals of government but were being poorly managed. In addition to the stock investments, the Company invested for the state in various other businesses including a multimillion dollar cement manufacturing plant; a petroleum storage plant; and a Special |Purpose Vehicle that invested in an oil drilling firm.
Gateway Holdings also funds and manages the state empowerment programme in transportation. i.e. the State Metro Scheme under which over 650 motorcycles, 600 taxis and 150 buses have been given out to the indigenes of the state under a short/medium lease arrangement. The Company also financed the leasing of tractors to farmers during the period. Also, Gateway Holdings in partnership with the private sector has pioneered the dredging of Ogun River which has not only assisted in provision of basic infrastructure like roads, schools and community centres to the villages around the area; but which will also facilitate water transportation in the state in not too distant future.
The company has carried out many other activities which though may not have generated immediate income for the state but have great impact on the socio-economic development of the state including the structuring of the financing of 42MW power plant currently under construction; the establishment of Abeokuta trading floor of The Nigerian Stock Exchange and the establishment of the Ogun Shandong Business Council which is aimed at enhancing business relationship and joint venture between private business men in Ogun state and Shandong province in China.
The cumulative positive effects of the activities of Gateway Holdings under my leadership are legion and these have to a large extent contributed to the enhancement of the economic base of Ogun State, generating employment and empowerment for the people of Ogun state, utilising the natural resources and other competitive advantages of the state and more importantly, we have been able to record respectable returns on our investments and generate revenue to the Sate Government; all to the benefit of the people of Ogun state.
Still along the line of public service, it is imperative to note that I also served in different capacities such as Chairman, Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone Working implementation committee; member, Ogun Finance Committee under the State Ministry of Finance; member Economic Summit Planning committee and member, Ogun State Economic Advisory Council (EAC) among others. In all of these call to service, I distinguished myself and comported myself creditably with no infraction recorded against my name. From some of my modest achievements of Gateway Holdings team under my humble leadership, it is safe to say that my modest accomplishments in the private and the wealth of experience I have garnered in public service has adequately equipped me with the necessary skill, vision and capacity to take Ogun state from "GOOD TO GREAT"
HONOURS AND AWARDS
These milestones have not gone unnoticed by various strata of the Ogun society. Hence, several awards and plaudits have come my way. They include the following:
· Good Leadership Award by the Network for Good Leadership in Nigeria.
· Distinguished Alumnus & Excellence in Public Service by Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association.
· Award of Excellence by Federal University of Technology, Akure.
· Leadership Award by Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Aiyetoro campus.
· Patron, National Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI) Ogun state branch.
· Award of Excellence by the National Association of Ogun State Students, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
· Prestigious Abeokuta City Award by Indy Media
· Life Patron, National Association of Yewa Students (MAPOLY)
· The most gender friendly for the year 2009 in Ogun state by Voice of Women International.
· Merit Award for immense contribution to the progress of Igan Okoto by Oba Alayeluwa Mukaila Akanbi Salako and Council of Chiefs, Igan Okokto.
· Golden Train of Ogun state Investment by Olabisi Onabano University.
· Distinguished Director of the Year 2006 by National Association of Yewa Student.
· Merit Award by Aiyetoro Recreation Club
· Recognition Award for contribution to development of Agriculture by Federal University of Technology (School of Agriculture & Agricultural Technology)
· Award of Excellence by Nazareth High School Old Students Association.
· Merit Award by the Jamhiyat Nuru Samodani Foundation (JANSAF).
· Award of Excellence by Pentecostal Methodist Church, Imeko.
These are but a few of such numerous recognitions.
FAMILY AND LEISURE
Gboyega Isiaka is not all about academics, professionalism and administrative excellence; I am also a family man. I am happily married to my darling of many years, Mrs. Jelilat Oluwatoyin Isiaka and we are blessed with lovely children. On a lighter and personal level, Gboyega is social, jovial and relatively outgoing but a little reserved and cautious. I belong to a number of social associations and clubs. Such include the Prestigious IKoyi Club 1938 Lagos, Rock Beach Resort Abeokuta, Rotary Club of Sagamu Central and the Yewa Metropolitan Club Ilaro among others. My membership of this elite groups have also broadened my views about life and the necessary social interaction needed to harness the potentials of men.
In the course of my duties both in private and public life, I have had cause to travel to various nations of the world in pursuit of one noble goal or the other including, United States of America, United Kingdom, Peoples Republic of China, United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, Malaysia, Brazil, Taiwan, South Africa among others. I have established strategic social and economic relationships with high net-worth individuals and blue-chip organizations, which have greatly enhanced my experience, broadened my horizon and equipped me with internationally conformed social, economic and political skills which I will bring to bear on governance in Ogun state.
I also sincerely believe that posterity has placed me in a position to serve the good people of Ogun state and I will do it with your support and trust. In another document, I have carefully articulated my Vision for Ogun state, my Mission to the government house, Our Policy Thrust and a concise Action Plan to take Ogun, the "GATEWAY state TO GREATNESS" level it has been truly prepared for; building on the good works of the last eight years. This is the irreducible minimum I will offer my people when elected the governor of Ogun state.
MY PARTY, MY POLITICS
POLITICAL HISTORY
I was a bit apolitical in my early life but the involvement of my family in politics ensured I sooner than later got involved; especially when one consider the fact that my father, Late Pa T. Ade Isiaka was a notable politician in Yewa land. I began my political journey right from my university days when in 1983/84, I was elected the Director of Organisation of the Egbado (now Yewa) Students Association of the University of Ife. I was subsequently elected the President of the Association in the 1984/85. Thereafter, my politics was basically in the boardrooms of corporate organisations and some of the experiences were invaluable and revealing.
PARTY AFFILIATION & IMPACTS
I am a member of the largest political party in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am from Imeko ward in Imeko Afon Local government area of Ogun state and I have been a dedicated member of the party. Since the last seven years, I have played active roles in my party from the ward level to the state level. I have been involved in a number of activities for different developmental purposes of the party. I have privately initiated empowerment initiatives for our people especially students, artisans, market women and the elderly both within my party and outside. More specifically, I have used my position in government to positively affect a lot of Ogun indigenes in form of lease of metro cars, buses as well as tractors for agricultural purposes.
POLITICAL PHILIOSOPHY
My politics conform with that of the new generation of leaders all over the world that believe in using the experience they have gathered through the achievements in their private endeavours for the benefit of larger society. Basically, I believe in the politics of engagement, politics of issues, politics without bitterness and politics of objective criticism. For me, politics is essentially the vehicle for service to the people and a medium to impact society. Also, the hallmark of a good leader is to leave a generation better than they met it.
To be a successful manager of men and resources, which is what governance essentially entails; a politician should be disciplined in thoughts, emotions and actions. As a man with deep social interaction, I believe politicians should constantly engage with the people, who are the owners of power. The thoughts and feelings of the people should be the driver of government initiatives. I believe that by my experience and modest achievements so far, I have internalised these attributes which I hope will be relevant to taking the "GATEWAY state TO GREATNESS".
Thank you and God bless Ogun state.
GBOYEGA NASIR ISIAKA B.SC, MBA FCA, ACIS, ACIT
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