In this peace, Hassan Ibrahim describes the presidential candidate of
the Peoples Trust (PT), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, as a credible alternative
to the flagbearers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr. Olawepo-Hashim is a Global
Energy Executive and founding Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is one of the few Nigeria leaders
who combine solid business record with strong political background.
A
successful entrepreneur with a 26 years impeccable business history. He
is chairman of Oilworld Ltd., operator of OPL 241 in the continental
shelf of Nigeria as well as chairman Transnational Energy Limited. He is
also chairman of Bresson AS. Limited, owners of the 90mw Magboro
Independent Power Producing (IPP) project; amongst many business
concerns locally and globally. Gbenga is generally acknowledged as
principled and courageous.
Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim started
exhibiting leadership qualities from elementary and secondary school
days. There are many instances; In Cherubim and Seraphim College, he was
appointed Health Prefect as well as elected President of the Dramatic
Society. At the School of Basic Studies, he was elected General
Secretary of the Anti-Apartheid Association, Youth Solidarity on
Southern Africa. In 1988, he was elected one of the leaders of the very
active National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS). He was
incarcerated under the Detention of Persons Decree 2 of 1984 (as amended
in 1989), as a result of his leadership role in 1989 Anti-SAP protests,
and his Pro-Democracy activities. The Amnesty International adopted him
Prisoner of conscience for Nigeria in 1989. He was also a notable
Pro-Democracy figure in the then Global Pro-Democracy resistance of the
late ‘80s and a respected Youth leadership voice from Africa. He played
prominent role in the 13th International Festival of Youths and Students
in 1989 in Pyong, North Korea.
In 1990, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim
became the National Administrative Secretary of the National
Consultative Forum led by the indefatigable patriot and democrat
extraordinaire, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr.
Alao Aka Bashorun. The group had in its fold, the technocratic group led
by AIhaji Danshida, Tayo Akpata, Philip Asiodu, etc. It also had a
political group led by former Zikist activists, such as Chief KoIa
Balogun and others like, Chief RBK Okafor, Mahmud Waziri and Alhaji
Tanko Yakasai. The group was the first to raise the need for devolution
of power and advocated for the convocation of a National conference as a
programme of democratization of Nigeria under Military rule.
Born
in Yelwa, Yauri, Kebbi State by a Yoruba mother to a Hausa father.
Gbenga spent his early years in New-Bussa, Niger State and was raised in
the family of his step-father. A Christian. He attended NEPA Junior
Staff School, New Bussa; Cherubim and Seraphim College, Ilorin; School
of Basic Studies, Ilorin; University of Lagos and University of
Buckingham, United Kingdom, where he obtained a Masters Degree in Global
Affairs and was best student in his cohort, securing the Max beloff
Prize for Global Affairs, He was also the first student to obtain a
distinction in the department course – History of the international
Systems.
In a correspondence to Gbenga on the Max Beloff prize
won, the chairman of the International Studies Degree Programmes, M.J.M,
Crostie wrote, “It is always pleasant to dwell on success and you
should make a point of mentioning the prize in your curriculum vitae
because it is this sort of distinction that will set you apart from
other candidates.” He has also received training at the International
Human Resources Development Centre – Boston Massachuset United States.
Mentored
into partisan politics by the progressive stock of politician led by
the duo of Late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhajj Abubakar Rimi, Gbenga had
onetime functioned as the National Publicity Secretary of the National
Democratic Party, under the joint chairmanship of Ambassador Jolly Tanko
Yusuf and Alhaji Yunusa Kaltungo. In 1998, working closely under the
supervision of Professor Jerry Gana (Secretary), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim
and two other young political leaders; Late Senator Dahiru Ahwesu Khuta
(Administration) and Dubem Onyia (Organization), helped in the years of
the G-34 initiative for the formation of political parties at the
group’s secretariat. Gbenga was responsible for the publicity beat.
After
the election of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, in the intervening
transitional period, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim served as member/Secretary
Youth and Women Development Sub-Committee of the General T.Y. Danjuma
Policy Advisory Committee with Late Hajia Laila Dogonyaro as chairman of
the Youth and Women Subcommittee.
In 1999, Gbenga was elected as
the first Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the then ruling Party,
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was a highly influential national
officer and became the founding chairman of the Group of 54 NEC members.
The group had His Excellency, Dr. Chris Ngige as Secretary and Alhaji
Ahmed Gusau, former Minister of Mines, as Deputy Chairman.
He was
known for his commitment to the principle of internal democracy in the
party, transparency and good governance. As a national officer, he spoke
truth to power then at great risks.
Speaking of Olawepo-Hashim’s
courage, deep patriotism, and selflessness; Late Chief Ojo Maduekwe,
former Nigerian Foreign affairs Minister and Nigerian High Commissioner
to Canada, said at a reception in 2005; “The lives of people like Gbenga
should inspire us to speak well of ourselves. Gbenga is an inner driven
person, not afraid to stand alone, not afraid to be unpopular, not
afraid to hold a view. A man who is inner driven, listens to the music
of his own universe, listens to the applause of the spirit inside that
have etched out an horizon, which he must conquer and moving in that
direction; he takes the lead and others follow. Who can see the horizon
with him, of such is the stuff of history, of such is the stuff of
greatness.”
He was appointed in 2003 as a member of the Political
Advisory Committee to the President (In the office of the Political
Advisor.) A national Bridge-Builder and complete detribalized,
charismatic and excellent negotiator. Gbenga’s experience and deep roots
in popular organizations and the broad political sphere will be useful
in formulating a national consensus for Nigeria and Unity at a time of
great division.
His understanding of political economy and the
global architecture of international finance will also be invaluable for
an economy that desperately needs growth and development and a people
that urgently need prosperity.
Mr. Olawepo-Hashim has won many
recognitions and honours including The Kwame Nkrumah African Leadership
Award conferred by the continental student body – All African Student
Union, at Accra Ghana in 2003; The Veteran Award-in 2005 by the
International Union of Students and World Federation of Democratic
Youths, (WFDY). He has also received the 2000 Nigeria Union of
Journalists Award for Professional Excellence. He is a fellow of the
Institute of Corporate Administration.
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