LEGISLATIVE POLITICS: OGUNGBANGBE, BREAKING BARRIERS, BUILDING A FUTURE

By ISAAC OLUSESI

Breaking barriers, building a future

 (BBBF) is a compelling commitment of Dr Thomas Olaleye Ogungbangbe to his policy proposals in toolkits, to break whatever biases and obstacles to building the future of Osun East Senatorial District. This will bring about positive changes, enabling his progressive and forward looking constituents access inclusive and equitable growth and progress. And ultimately, this will lead to a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow, with economic opportunities, resources, services, and sustainable development for all.

For Ogungbangbe, a chieftain of the Osun State All Progressive Congress (APC), _breaking barriers, building a future....._ BBBF, for the Ife/Ijesa people is a vision for reality and visibility, clearly challenging to the reigning, _status quo_ of the district in the Senate, as the present representation is shabby or frayed and unrewarding to the citizenry.

Ogungbangbe's antecedence of carriage or comportment in oil and gas economy, a more professional and formal setting, is a pointer to his potentially high legislative performances to expect from his representation politics. In the energy sector, he's insistently having all technical and logistical challenges or barriers broken down, and in the stead, energy entrepreneurship, risk taking and business growth getting built or encouraged for the future of the underrepresented and marginalized groups in the business, as beneficiaries.

A further optimism in no distant a time, soon than soonest, is that the constituents of the Senatorial District will get inspired to engage in the Ogungbangbe political process and advocacy for a transformed Ife/Ijesa political landscape, with him, redefining political debate and focus on the needs and aspirations of the people of the district. 

And in due course, Ogungbangbe, on representational legislation, will greatly influence the development of policies and shape policy agendas to address pressing issues that affect his senatorial district and its conglomerate of communities and peoples across tribes in the district. His stamina lies in his background achievements in life long learning to the level of M.Phil., Ph.D Strategic Marketing, through MBA, Executive Masters, University of Ilorin, with other certifications obtained at Imperial College of Technology, Wye Campus, Kent, UK; Int'l Air Transport Association Certified Jet Fuel Airfield Inspection of global rating; Said Business School, Oxford Princeton University; Harvard Business School, USA. Among others.

He's a Fellow, Leadership on Environment & Development, Rockefeller Foundation and LEAD, UK; Member, UK Energy Institute, American Marketing Association, and Institute of Directors; and Peace Award, UN Peace Mission; Icon of the Societal Development of the Year Award, West Africa Student Union Parliament Award; Pfizer Award of Excellence; Jet Fuel Supplier of the Year- Business Day Award; Institute of Government Research & Technology Award of Best Aviation Fuel Storage, Fuelling & Aircraft Maintenance Services Company; Thomas Sankara Leadership Award; and other acknowledged distinctions. 

And continually, in geometric progression, he's gotten his skills and knowledge updated via Leadership & Development Trainings- Tunisia & UK; 360degree Effective Leadership- Holland; Management Programme - Harriot Wyatt University, Edinburgh, UK; Integration Dynamics & Development Strategies in Africa -Senegal; International trainings on Jet Fuel at Energy Institute (IE), American Society of Testing & Material (ASTM), American Petroleum Institute (API) and International Fuel Quality Poul (IFQP), and quality others, to remain relevant in business and profession.

As pioneer, and presently, the Chairman of Aviation Fuel Marketers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN), Ogungbangbe has transparently and accountably broken down barriers to productive business models, effective business regulatory frameworks, efficient diversification and inclusivity in the business, and innovative services for local and global markets, with environmental impact reduced. In the corollary, he has had the national economic growth increased, equity improved, business cooperation enhanced, that once made new opportunities, employment, easier and available.

What of Ogungbangbe's personal well-being, physically, mentally and emotionally, building along the line, meaningful relationships and strategic partnerships, profusely helped by his significantly positive work culture and consistent engagements with values and passion for utilitarianism, doing good for the greatest number of people. Meaning making, but not anything difficult for him. He has continually enhanced the well-being and happiness of others - communities, individuals, bodies corporate, and all that, he does with greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, raising the ante of confidence and self esteem in people and cause improved shift in social cohesion and social justice. 

Recall here his Mallam Aminu Kano Int'l Airport Road network built by Ogungbangbe and valued at N300million in 2022; Ph.D scholarship grants to 5Babcock students and Int'l scholarships to 4indigenes of Osun State; and $100,000 research grant to University of Ilorin to undertake the study of Microbial contamination in aviation fuel, published by Lambert Academia, Germany - The Academia, 2017.

And the donation of refueling kits to Nigerian Air Force- 2017; donation of 20,000 Vials of Pain Relief injections to Osun State government- 2016; donation of cash gifts to Port Harcourt and Warri member communities; donation of electric transformers to Lagos and Abuja Airports- 2015; donation of 20,000 units of food palliatives across Osun LGAs via NULGE; construction and donations of multiple worship centers across Nigeria.

The altruistic man, as a stabilizing factor in the re-evolution of APC in the state shouldered the 145party candidates' tax clearance- 2024 to qualify them, for participation in the then local government election. And the eager beaver, enthusiastically signposted by the balance and speed of his welfare postures injected oxygen in the party when he shared out hundreds of thousands of free bags of rice to the party- 2024.

That's the import of Ogungbangbe's _breaking barriers, building a future....._ (BBBF).

In the wise, if Ogungbangbe goes about doing good to several people, communities and entities across ethnic groupings, faiths  and cultures in the nation, and without hesitation, then there cannot be any moral and ethical dilemmas in his pursuits of a better future for his constituents of Osun East Senatorial District. 

And in representational legislation and politics, it's sure, he will be out to break down every barrier to effective representation and influence of the underrepresented Ife/Ijesa men and women, youths and the physically challenged. And characteristically, on greater accountability and transparency, he will promote reforms in legislation, regulation and policy to address social, economic and environmental issues, other germane concerns or difficulties in the Osun East Senatorial District of the state.

And broadly, he will navigate the competitively legislative politics, found common grounds and develop bold, innovative policies that address pressing national issues, especially in the energy economy that fetches the nation the fairest revenue.

And that's Ogungbangbe, an asset of no mean value, perfecting leadership training and improving policy outcomes in business today; and in representational legislation and politics, tomorrow. He plays quintessentially seasoned politics, intensely convincing, with the Osun APC at the core of everything he does, inducing democracy by activating the party in his own way, well known to all and sundry.

Ogungbangbe's a great leader, serving humanity enroute business and politics, and he's everyone's pride. 

 OLUSESI writes via isaacolusesi@gmail.com