Tinubu praises Gbenga Daniel's decades-long devotion on his 70th birthday, supports pardon for returned assets

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised former Ogun State governor Gbenga Daniel as a "longtime ally and friend" who has made significant contributions to governance, business, and national development, with these remarks made in Abuja during a book launch at the Yar'Adua Centre to mark Daniel's 70th birthday.

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Tinubu, who was represented by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, commended Daniel's achievements, noting that his career is a testament to hard work, resilience, and dedication, as evidenced by his professional exploits, governance strides, and political achievements.

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The President stated, "I salute Otunba Daniel for his professional exploits, governance strides, and political achievements, which he attained through hard work, wisdom, and courage," highlighting Daniel's impressive career trajectory.

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The book launch event drew a plethora of prominent Nigerians, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as lawmakers, traditional rulers, and business leaders, all of whom gathered to celebrate Daniel's 70th birthday.

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Four books were unveiled at the ceremony, including Daniel in the Lions' Den and My March through the Courts, which chronicle aspects of Daniel's personal and political journey, providing valuable insights into his life and career.

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Tinubu noted that Daniel distinguished himself in the private sector through the establishment of Kresta Laurel, an electro-mechanical engineering firm, before transitioning into public service as governor of Ogun State in 2003, where he implemented key initiatives such as infrastructure development and public-private partnerships.

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The President also highlighted Daniel's role in the political coalition that supported his emergence as Lagos State governor in 1999, describing him as a committed progressive who has consistently demonstrated his dedication to the country's development.

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In his remarks, Daniel proposed that the Federal Government consider granting a structured amnesty to Nigerians who repatriate illicit funds held abroad, provided such funds are invested in productive sectors of the economy, as a means of addressing the challenge of capital flight.

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He stated, "As a pragmatic step, government could consider a well-structured amnesty on repatriation of such funds, provided they are invested productively within the country," emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to tackling this issue.

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Daniel also highlighted broader national issues, including corruption, misinformation, and declining ethical standards in public service, calling for a more systemic approach to addressing these challenges, including the effective use of financial intelligence tools and stronger institutional accountability.

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The Senator urged increased investment in skills, technology, and creative industries to promote youth development, warning that failure to engage young people meaningfully could hinder national progress and have long-term consequences for the country.

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Daniel further supported ongoing discussions on state policing, suggesting safeguards such as State Police Councils to ensure accountability and prevent abuse of power, as a means of promoting security and stability at the state level.

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Reuben Abati encouraged Nigerians to document their experiences, noting that such works provide valuable insights into the country's political history, as he reviewed some of the books launched at the event.

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Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire described My March through the Courts as a compelling account of Daniel's legal battles and eventual acquittal, recommending it to readers interested in Nigeria's political and judicial landscape, and praising the book for its unique perspective on the country's legal system.