The Kindhearted Visionary: Unveiling the Legendary Otunba Bamidele Akingboye
“For the venerable Otunba Benson Bamidele Akingboye, life’s highest calling is to cultivate goodness and kindness not just for oneself, but for others. Although this may be the most difficult task, Otunba pursues it with unwavering devotion. Guided by wisdom and compassion, he works tirelessly to uplift people and communities across the board. And through his noble service, he has transformed daunting social challenges into opportunities for progress.
Where some see obstacles, Otunba envisions what could be. Where some sow cynicism, he sows hope. This extraordinary vision stems from his core belief that kindness is the sum total of life itself. It animates everything he does. From uplifting speeches to principled actions to sensible policy positions, his leadership is infused with kindness. And he touches countless lives with its warm glow.
Like the most skilled sculptors who carve stunning masterpieces from unpolished stone, Otunba helps reveal the latent potential in people and places. By dedicating his heart to creating good in the world, he makes the mundane feel a little more like heaven itself. He is a soaring spirit that calls us to our best selves.
From grass to grace, of course, defines his life, coming from a humble and benevolent background. Akingboye hails from Igodan-Lisa in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. As a child, he was determined to change the narratives after seeing the suffering of the poor in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Persistence and perseverance became his watchwords, which eventually led him to become one of the most successful Nigerians today.
Benson Bamidele Akingboye is an alumnus of St. John’s Anglican School, Araromi – Apapa, Lagos; Trinity Secondary School, Araromi – Apapa; Lagos Business School, Pan- Atlantic University; Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland; having completed his primary, secondary, post-secondary and other professional qualifications. .
Akingboye is an entrepreneur and successful businessman with over 40 years experience in the private sector; he has given to his country and people without waiting for government. He is a compassionate leader who has been a strong pillar of support to his people, freeing them from the oppressive jackboots of despots. Through the OBA Foundation, many lives have been touched within and outside Ondo State through numerous empowerment programmes including health initiatives; scholarships and bursaries for indigent students, the needy and vulnerable; grants and support for small and medium scale enterprises; financial support for business expansion; distribution of work tools such as sewing machines, dryers, generators, etc. and even free distribution of vehicles, motorcycles and others. He has carried out several intervention programmes and has directly touched the lives of many people.
Akingboye is contributing immensely to the growth of Nigerian society through his brilliant economic policies and outstanding business management skills. Akingboye is the Chairman and CE0 of Benshore Maritime Services, a company engaged in dredging, maritime services and pollution solutions in Nigeria. His other companies in which he serves as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer include Clog Oil Systems Limited; Ben Bamigboye & Associates Limited, deals with properties and real estate across the globe. Daily Best Industries Limited, Texas, USA; Fire Bee Services Limited; WeAfrica Limited, B&B Construction and Oil & Gas limited U K; Benson Akingboye is the Chairman and Director of so many multi national drilling oil and gas companies to mention a few.
He holds professional certifications in Corporate Restructuring Studies; He is a Certified Fraud Examiner by Owner Managers Programme, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Texas, USA; International Financial Reporting (cert IFR); Diploma in Accounting and business by ACCA United Kingdom; ongoing OPM programme in Havard University, USA.
His passion for the merits and aspirations of the people cannot be overemphasised and it is not surprising that he is the president, patron and member of various notable associations, social clubs and non-governmental organisations, including President, Trinity Secondary School Alumni Association, Apapa, Lagos; Grand Patron, The Certified Directors Institute, Nigeria, 2015; Member, Society for Corporate Governance, Nigeria, 2012; Member, Police Relations Community, Lagos; Member, Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston, Texas; Member, Polo Club, Ikoyi, Lagos; Member, Gulf Club Ikoyi, Lagos since 1991, 1993 respectively; Member, Petroleum Club of Houston, Texas USA;
His political activism includes his election as: Member, UPN, Ondo State Campaign Committee, 1983; Coordinator, M.K. O Abiola Campaign Organisation Ondo State, 1993 election; Pioneer Member, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 1999; PDP Governorship Aspirant in 2003 and later Governorship Candidate, under DPP 2003, Ondo State; Member, PDP Presidential Committee on Finance and Security, Ondo State Governorship Election 2012; PDP Ondo South Senatorial Aspirant, 2015; Member, PDP Southwest Bamanga Tukur Campaign Committee for PDP Chairmanship; PDP Governorship Aspirant, Ondo State, 2020 and currently Ondo 2024 PDP Governorship Aspirant.
His philanthropic gestures and closeness to the people earned him chieftaincy titles; Olowo Meye, The First of Ikale Kingdom, 1993 and later Otunba Baaoloro of Joga Land, Ogun State, 2000.
Otunba is a great investor in human capital development and has been a major financial member and contributor to the development of PDP for over 21 years. His track records in sponsoring party meetings & activities, payment of salaries, rents and other bills for the PDP is no longer news. He is known for his consistency and regular support for the PDP Candidates even while he hasn’t been favored in previous elections.
OBA as he is fondly called is already a household name in Ondo state that needs no campaign to win elections if given the PDP ticket to fly as candidate in the forthcoming 0ndo 2024 elections.
His hobbies include; travelling, reading, swimming, boxing, golf, politics and business.
