Gold is special among metals. Diamond among stones, Eagle among birds and Rose among flowers.Gbenga Adewusi is a special grassroots politicians with unique and unrivalled achievements not only in local government administration but in politics, sports and business. He carved a niche for himself as an accomplished politician and model of success story. He epitomises humility, gentility and meekness in all ramifications. As a matter of fact, he is a complete gentleman whose character is worthy of emulation.
Gbenga Adewusi is popularly known as "Arole Obasanjo" among his contemporaries. An appellation given to him because of his Special affinity for the former President General Olusegun Obasanjo and privileged tutelage enjoyed under him for many decades.
WHO IS AROLE?
- The current chairman of Oyo State Sport Council, Ibadan.
- A two time Local Government chairman in Oyo state (Ibadan North East Local Government)
- A member of National Lottery Board. 2011- 2015
- Squash coach to President Olusegun Obasanjo (former President of Nigeria) 1999-2002.
According to Honourable Adewusi, he was born in the 60s to Pa Adewusi of Ladogba Compound, Temidire, Oje. While his mother Madam Adewusi is also from Alagbede compound at Oje area of Ibadan.
The sports icon attended St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Yemetu, Ibadan, Community Modern School, Erumu and later proceeded to Adekile Goodwill Grammar School; Aperin, Ibadan.
It was providence that made it expedient for him to leave his mother and accompanied his maternal uncle, General Olusegun Obasanjo to Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State of Nigeria. The former president came to visit his Aunty and saw the young Gbenga. He, thereafter, requested for him to be trained.
He was enrolled at the Ansar-ul-deen Teachers college, Ota. Alongside, he also sat for the West African School Certificate Examination in 1980 and passed in flying colours .
In quest for further Education,Arole secured admission to University of Lagos to pursue diploma in Physical and Health Education. Chief Obasanjo offered him employment at the Obasanjo farms. Subsequently, he later moved to the Bells International Secondary School, Ota to teach Physical and Health Education (P.H.E) in 1997.
In 1999, when chief Obasanjo won the Presidential Election, he followed him to Abuja and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports employed him and deployed him to Aso Rock Villa to serve as training partner of the president on Squash game. Arole remarked that he acquired adequate knowledge of governance from President Obasanjo which is a rare and valuable legacy.
In his eight years as the chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Hon Gbenga Adewusi recorded significant achievements which impacted on the life of the citizenry.
(1) He re-constructed the free school (Sùkú Òfé) that was neglected and abandoned for 40 consecutive years and provided all necessary infrastructural and learning materials for the pupils. This attest to his zeal and Passion for education.
He also embarked on reconstruction of collapsed bridge which adversely affected the movement of the people and hindered the effective discharge of their daily business and activities. This amongst others endeared him to the youths and the teeming populace who are encouraging him to contest for the seat at the Federal House of Representatives in the forthcoming elections.
Arole commended the initiative of the present civilian administration under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM)for overhauling of the sports sector and the remodeling of Lekan Salami Sports Complex which suffered neglect in the last four decades in the hand of previous administrations.
Hon. Adewusi also gave kudos to the State Government for the on-going rehabilitation of the Training pitches at the Sòún Stadium, Ã’gbómòsó; Durbar Stadium, Ã’yó; Sakà Stadium, SakÃ; Ebedi Stadium, ÃŒséyìn; Igbóòra stadium,Igbóòra; Olúbà dà n Stadium, ÃŒbà dà n; Ikolaba Grammar School, Ibadan; Community Grammar School, Agugu, Ibadan; the Army Children Community Grammar School, Ibadan and the Bishop Phillips Academy, Iwo Road, Ibadan while responding to the questions on the developmental programmes and projects for repositioning sporting activities.
The envisioned and pragmatic chairman of Oyo State Sports Council reiterated his commitments to introduce a programme christened "Catch them Young" in partnership with the Oyo State Ministry of Education Science and Technology. It aims at fostering unity and peaceful co-existence among the youths. It will also serve as a sports festival among the Schools and create a viable avenue or platform for inter-school Sports Competitions.
Secondly, he intends to introduce the programme that will facilitate hunting for talents and ingenuity amongst the youth in both public and private schools which will ultimately involve coaches in various games and vocations.
Thirdly, Honourable Arole remarked that female football team competitions will be introduced and it will involved Inter Local Government and zoning arrangements in all the three Senatorial Zones of the state. It is tagged Abigael Makinde Memorial female football competitions.
The chairman also targeted the veterans amongst the former international and National players that are above forty-five(45)years of age in the South-Western States in Nigeria. The proposed tournament will be tagged, "Olatubosun Makinde Memorial South West Competitions".
According to the chairman, the challenges confronting the Council ranges from deart of athletes coaches and sporting personnels; inadequate security personnel to prevent incessant stealing within the vicinity of the Stadium, Erection of additional lockup-stores to beef up generation of revenue for the State Government.
Arole Obasanjo opined that there is urgent need to recruit more competent and skillful players for the 3SC Footballs Club, especially good strikers and midfielders.
He also observed that expectations of the State Government and the populace is higher for the 3SC football club. Hence, there is need to re-strategise and fortify the technical crew of the Club for optimal performances in the subsequent matches throughout the Premier league Championship.
Honourable Adewusi, a political juggernaut and sports administrator who bagged his Bachelors of Education in Human Kinetics from the University of Ibadan in 2014 admonished the youths to engage in productive ventures eschew Cyber-crimes and all forms of illegitimate business that will tarnish their images.
The multitalented sportsman plays multifarious games which includes: Handball, tennis, round leather game, badminton and table tennis.
Having him as the chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council is tantamount to having a round peg in a round hole. Arole, keep the flag flying, sir
Director, (Media and Communications)
Oyo State Sports Council, Ibadan
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