Gboyega Nasir Isiaka: Portrait of ‘Mr. Reliable’ at 60

One of the most historical events eternally and prominently etched in the annals of Imeko, Ogun state was the recent burial ceremony of the late Iya Adinni of Imekoland, Alhaja Kuburat Agbeke Isiaka, matriarch of the Isiaka dynasty and mother of frontline Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

The event remains a memorable one till date — partly due to the fine array of guests in attendance, headlined by the very cerebral Professor Yemi Osinbajo (GCON), Nigeria’s Vice President.

Other notable dignitaries at the burial ceremony include the Ogun Sate Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (MFR), Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, former Ogun and Kano State Governors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso, former Deputy Governor, Salmot Badru.

National Assembly members, APC and PDP Chieftains, State Government functionaries, Head of Federal Government Parastatals, Captains of Industry, first class traditional rulers were also in attendance.

It was an A-list event in every sense.

Markedly, the highpoint of the event was a testimonial that birthed the now famous ‘Mr. Reliable’ moniker which is now used for GNI.

The pedigree of a man is the foundation of his personality. This much was alluded to by Vice President Prof Osinbajo who extolled the virtues of GNI, reckoning however that his values were a reflection of excellent parenting by his mother, the late Iya Adinni.

According to PYO, “One thing that I must say in particular is that I was introduced to GNI a long time ago by my younger brother, Akin when he was serving in the Ogun state government under Otunba Gbenga Daniel. My younger brother said to me then, long ago, that if you are looking for a reliable Man, this is the man. Those were the words he said to me, and I remember those words very well.

“Through the years, just like Prince Dapo Abiodun has said, GNI has proved to be focused and reliable at all times and I’m extremely pleased with the testimony i’ve heard about you, because as a politician it is difficult to be described as reliable. If a politician is described as reliable, trust me he is reliable indeed.”

This rousing endorsement from the number two citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no doubt drew huge cheers from the crowd and had set the mood for other sweeping sentiments to come.

Truly, there could be no disagreement with PYO’s evaluation of GNI’s character. Himself, a good judge of character, had found GNI a reliable man. So reliable, that some persons say the investment banker is not built for politics in this part of the world.

It was former United States’ Secretary of State, Henry Clay who noted that “Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.”

Character is however not commonplace in the Nigerian political arena where deceit, greed, malfeasance, thievery and impunity hold sway.

Isiaka has managed to stay above the greed and corruption that has plagued our politics. This is why despite contesting three governorship elections between 2011 and 2019, he has not been involved in any scandal till date.
Failed public inquests into his activities as Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited by previous administrations underscore his unmatched integrity and accountability.

GNI has continued to bestride the sociopolitical landscape of Ogun state with sheer class, humility, benign mien, superior native intelligence and unrivalled integrity —even for a politician.

He is not only the pride of the Ogun West senatorial district, but a foremost Son of the state. He made an entry into politics not to be something but to do something, not to get what he could, but to give all that he could, there not to seek power over principle, but to seek power for principle.

This tribute for GNI is no piece of sophistry because he has been as constant as the Northern Star, whose leadership exploits are unrivaled by many.

The APC Chieftain remains devoted to the principle of excellence, wherein his leadership and vision have come to define his tenure as Chairman, Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone —much to the admiration of many true Sons and Daughters of Yewa/Aworiland.

GNI’s life is a truly inspirational and captivating one. He has made a success of his life despite having the odds against him at many times. He lost his father when he was 14. His doting mother, the late Iya Adinni would go on to mould his character and prepare him for a great future.

Born on February 17, 1962, GNI spent the first sixteen years of his life in Imeko, attending Ansar’udeen Primary School and Nazareth High School Imeko for both primary and secondary education.

Despite having a very short stint at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, GNI graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Accounting from the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1986.

He later bagged a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos in 1995.

Not one to stop there, GNI bagged relevant professional and leadership trainings and qualifications including Chartered Accountant (ACA), Senior Management Programme (SMP), Lagos Business School, Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Associate of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (ACS), Fellowship of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (FCS), Associate member (ACIT) of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

In November 2003, he was appointed the Special Assistant on Investments by the then Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel and in April 2004, was appointed the pioneer Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited (GHL), the Investment Company of Ogun State whose major focus was effective and professional management of the State investment towards contributing to the revenue generation and socio-economic development of the State.

A member of the famous Abeokuta Sports Club, Recreation Club of Ilaro, Abeokuta Golf Club among others, GNI is an avid reader, thinker and philanthropist. Without necessarily sounding his own trumpet, he has been credited for facilitating jobs and scholarships to students at various educational levels.

As he clocks 60 today, I have only prayers, plenty of prayers for him, wishing him many happy returns, with the hopes of seeing him in greater leadership positions where he can make Ogun state citizens dream again—of purposeful, visionary leadership filled with tangible proofs.

Femi Peters, a Communications Specialist and Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Abeokuta, the Ogun state Capital and can be reached via +2348032466563