Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi
By Dr. Ogheneseruo Possible
Corruption in Nigeria has pervaded all aspects of the country but much more pronounced in the political circle. People now go into politics to loot. Since 1999 when democracy resurfaced in Nigeria, looting has become the business of the day among some political office holders and politicians. Corruption is now synonymous with politics. Politics have become the most lucrative business that every dick and harry wants to be engaged in.
Politics in Nigerian is practiced as a mean of looting the country treasury unlike how it is practiced in the developed countries such as United State of America, Britain to mention but a few. What baffles people is despite the huge salaries that accrue to political office holders and politicians, they still make sure they loot Nigeria treasury dry. Some of them even accumulate money that their fourth generation cannot exhaust even if they refuse to work throughout their life time. The perception that Nigeria and Nigerians are very corrupt has transact the shore of Nigeria. The vex matter has become a subject of much discussion within and outside the country.
Indeed, several seminars and workshops have been held on the subject with prominent Nigerians, including those who have cornered the nation’s common wealth in the past preaching about corruption. Corruption remains issue of great concern in Nigeria.
As a result of the corruption among political office holders in Nigeria,
most politicians and political leaders both past and present are subjected to special and extraordinary checks in developed countries embassies. Even in worse cases, some political office holders are even denied visa. It is no longer news that a onetime former governor of a state in the south-south region who was arrested for corruption in a abroad day light disguised himself by dressing like a woman to outsmart security agents. Though, he succeeded but the trauma contributed to his untimely death in no distant time.
In short, many past and present politicians have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) based on corrupt practices. Those found wanting have been jailed while others are still serving their jail terms. Among those being interrogated by EFCC are Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of Delta State, former and immediate past senate president, senator Bukola Saraki to mention but a few. Also the immediate past governor of Delta State, Doctor Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan was invited for questioning but he was left off the hook. Few days ago, former Abia state governor who ruled been 1999 and 2007, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has just been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. The list is in exhaustible.
In the midst of all these EFCC brouhaha, there are few Nigerians who served government with very clean records before, during and after service. One of such politicians is Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi from Delta State. Olorogun Gbagi served during President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime as State Minister for Education.
Olorogun Gbagi, a Criminologist and a Lawyer, as a Minister for Education established many tertiary institutions, i.e Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Educations including hundreds of secondary Schools. In all these, the Criminologist refused to be corrupt like his counterparts. In fact, history has it that all the contracts for the establishment of these tertiary institutions were awarded by this great industrialist but he refused to stain his name or join others to embezzle money meant for the development and growth of the country. Some other politicians would have seen and taken such an opportunity as a mean to embezzle monies meant for those institutions. Olorogun Gbagi’s name is synonymous with integrity and uprightness.
Since this Delta born Politician left office, he has not been once invited by EFCC or any other anti corruption agency. Olorogun Gbagi unlike other politicians who are afraid to travel out of the country for fear of being embarrassed, travels at will to monitor his businesses spread across the length and breath of the world.
Gbagi has fleet of businesses in Nigeria and abroad. This notable man has Five Star Hotels and Shopping Malls in every nook and cranny of Delta state and Nigeria at large. Gbagi shopping malls have provided means of livelihood for millions of Deltans and Nigerians.
The former Minister for Education who is hoping to takeover the mantle of leadership from Governor Okowa come 2023 in media chat with Journalists has promised Deltans that if he becomes the Governor of our dear state he would not drive government vehicles and also will not be on salary throughout the period.
Gbagi has unique characteristic devoid of corruption and this is the type of politician that Okowa should handover to in 2023. Olorogun Gbagi has been tipped by many notable politicians in Delta State to takeover from Okowa in order to continue from the popular nick named “Road Master” stop. Governor Okowa has taken Delta State beyond Deltans expectation. Therefore, Deltans are praying that he should handover the state to a great industrialist like Gbagi to industrialize every nook and cranny of the state.
Dr. Ogheneseruo Possible wrote from Asaba in Delta State.
