Isiaka Emerges Ogun PDP Candidate
An investment banker, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), has emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ogun. Isiaka polled 705 votes beating Kayode Amusan who polled 151 votes to win the ticket. He will square it up with the incumbent Governor, Ibikunle Amosun of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the February 2015 gubernatorial election.
Other aspirants, Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of House of Representatives, Sarafa Isola, one time Minister of Steel; and business man, Remi Bakare all boycotted the election . Kayode Amusan and Omooba Segun Adewale participated in the primaries.
Isiaka is a native of Imeko, in Imeko Afon Local Government in Ogun West Senatorial District. Since the creation of Ogun State 38years ago, no one from Ogun West has been elected as the Governor.
Isiaka was born in February 1962 into the family of late Prince Tijani Adebowale Isiaka and Alhaja Adijat Agbeke Isiaka of Remo Quarters, Imeko in Imeko Afon Local government area of Ogun state.
His quest for academic excellence began from the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Imeko between 1968 and 1973 after which he proceeded to Nazareth High School, Imeko between 1973 and 1978.
Prior to his tertiary education, Isiaka worked as a Clerical Officer at Yewa (then Egbado) North Local Government; and later Office of the Presidential Liaison Officer, Abeokuta. His first point of call for higher education was the Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Abeokuta where he was admitted to study Mass Communication in 1981.
Isiaka was admitted into the University of Ife (now OAU) to study Accounting in 1982. He committed himself vigorously to his academics, and after four rigorous years, graduated in 1986 with a First Class category in Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (B.Sc Accounting).
While in “Great Ife”, his penchant to add value to others committed him to other engaging activities as he was elected the Director of Organisation, Yewa (then Egbado) Students Association in 1983/1984 and became the President in 1984/1985. A major highlight of his activities in the association was giving career talk and organising what was then called the “Brain Trust Competition” among Secondary Schools in Yewa land. After graduation from the University, he proceeded for the one year compulsory NYSC programme in Jos, Plateau state. He served with Joseph Akande & Co, a firm of Chartered Accountants.
In furtherance of his academic attainment, he proceeded to pursue professional certifications and qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ACA) in 1988. He also completed a Masters programme in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Lagos in 1995 and attended the Senior Management Programme (SMP) of the Lagos Business School in 1998. After a decade of post-Associate membership, he was bestowed with the Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) in 2003.
In addition to being a Chartered Accountant, Isiaka is also an Associate of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (ACS) having completed the Institute’s three stage examinations in 2001, and an Associate member (ACIT) of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). In furtherance of his bid to attain professional and leadership excellence, he has taken and undergone several courses in different parts of the world including Investment Banking & Corporate Finance Course by Euromoney, United Kingdom, Leadership in the 21st Century from the prestigious John F. Kennedy Centre, Harvard University, United States of America and Institute of Public Private Partnership , Washington DC courses on Development, Structuring and Execution of Public Private Partnership transactions to mention but a few.
His exposure to corporate experience commenced when he was retained after the completion of the NYSC scheme by Joseph Akande & Co. Chartered Accountants. He later worked with Lion Bank. At Lion Bank he functioned in the Internal Control and Audit department .
His foray into Investment Banking commenced with his employment with ICON LTD (Merchant Bankers) in 1990, where he served with the Capital Issues and Investment division after a rigorous three months training by the bank. He spent six years with the bank with major focus on financial advisory and issuing house functions.
In February 1996, he joined Lead Merchant Bank Plc where he was involved in various wholesale banking activities that included Project Financing, Financial Advisory, Privatization Advisory, Equity and Debt raising activities. He was also involved in Asset Management and Stockbroking under the Lead Investment Limited brand of Lead Bank.
During his seven years sojourn with Lead bank, he rose from the position of Assistant Manager to that of Assistant General Manager and Group Head of Investment Banking overseeing Investment Banking services. He was at the forefront of various corporate finance transactions that include equity raising for First Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc, Afribank Plc (now Mainstreet bank), Lion Bank Plc, Nigerian-German Chemical Plc, International Breweries Plc, and Wema bank Plc among others. He worked alongside the Credit Suise First Boston (CSFB) team to win the bid for the privatisation of the then NEPA.
Isiaka’s emergence will address the age long marginalisation of the Yewa/Awori people of Ogun West that have not had the opportunity to have a shot at the seat of the Governor.