Coalition Of Students and Young Professionals in Odogbolu Local Government (COSYP) has rallied support for Hon. Dennis Akinwale Ogunnaike, the Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information Communication and Technology Innovations, insisting that he remains the preferred choice to represent the good people of Odogbolu at Ogun State House of Assembly come 2023.
The youth group, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Arc. Omilani Kazeem and made available to journalists at Abeokuta, the state capital described Hon Dennis Ogunnaike as a vibrant and capable youth that has all it takes to change the narrative for good governance and qualitative representation for the people of Odogbolu constituency.
The coalition has therefore appealed to Gov Abiodun to ensure that this hardworking aide of his and the choice of all the progressives in the local government is giving the ticket and allow to be the next legislator to represent the people of Odogbolu at the House of Assembly come 2023.
The youth group noted that “the 15 Wards of Odogbolu Local Government deserves youthful and quality representation and this is what our dear brother, Hon Ogunnaike represent.
“Despite his busy schedule as one of very versatile and proactive aides to the governor, he still finds time to bond with his people in the local government. He is respectful, accessible and loved by all. He understands our myriads of challenges and he is quite efficient to help in all these areas. He has organised various intervention programmes in education and productivity back home.
“He remains a bridge builder that will bridge the gap between the past and present, as well as the young and old. Having worked with His Excellency for about a Decade, there is no doubt that Hon Ogunnaike will transform the face of polity in Odogbolu and show compassion on the masses while delivering top quality contributions to law making at the state House of Assembly”.
Talking about the rich family lineage of the governor’s aide, the group said “Hon Dennis Ogunnaike took his lineage from the Kale-Fasanya Family of Ipata Quaters, Mobalufon, Leguru, Odogbolu LG; the family that produced the late Bishop and Sage – Seth Irunsewe Kale OON, CFR, who in his lifetime was an Anglican Bishop of the Lagos Dioces and the Principal of CMS Grammar School renowned for bringing Christianity into Ijebu Land.
And the Ogunnaike Family of Ipata Quarters, Erinlu, Ifesowapo, Odogbolu Local Government; of the late High Chief Theophilus Odukoya Ogunnaike, renowned for his role in facilitating early trade between his Ijebu kinsmen accross the Old Lagos and Ijebu Provinces alongside his associates like Chief Odutola who was the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Land and other early merchants of Ijebu Land.
His Grandfather, Chief Theophilus was later crowned the traditional ruler of Ijebutedo; a colony of Ijebu descendants he founded with his kinsmen in the pre-independence Nigeria era, in what is now known as Shomolu Local Government area of Lagos and remains one of the most Enterprising areas in Lagos till date known as the “printing headquarters” in Nigeria as a whole.
Dennis took his maternal lineage from Imosan Quarters, Iperu Ward 3, Iperu, Remo, Ogun State. Indeed his parents also lived a life of service and committed to the development of humanity.
Prince Ogunnaike, has to his credit, vast experience in Public Administration, Public Policy Research and Formation, International Relations, Communications and Bespoke Digital Technology Solutions including Web development, Artificial Intelligence Integration, Digital Security Surveillance Systems – Close Circuit CCTV Integration and more, having worked for about 10 years in both Public and Private sector Environments and growing through the ranks to become a Lead Consultant.
He is a Development Knowledge Facilitator and Certified SDG Trainer of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He is passionate about Youth Development, Women Empowerment and Economic Transformation of Native Communities and Indigenous Provinces.
He founded Campus Voyagers Youth Intitiative in 2008, an nongovernmental Organisation that works tirelessly till date to eradicate social vices like cultism and drug abuses amongst secondary and tertiary institution students accross the nation.
He also is the Convener of the Youth Economic Empowerment Summit Nigeria YEES NIGERIA Initiative. An initiative he began in 2009 that has raise over 5,000 Vibrant Youth Entrepreneurs in Lagos, Osun and Ogun States.
He has volunteered for an array of human development initiatives accross the globe, and has a bag of awards and commendation to his name. No wonder he emerged the Overall Best Corp Member in his Complusory Service Year, bagging the award of the Best CLO, Governor’s Award for Overall Best Corp Member and NYSC National Honours.
In 2015, he was listed on Time Magazine as One of Nigeria’s Most Influential Youths, and Top 10 Nigeria’s Emerging Leaders to watch out for in the New Millennium published by Africa Future Leaders Magazine.
Ogunnaike is a devoted Christian, and a Youth Leader at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 20, Lagos Province 39 where he respectfully serve under his spiritual fathers, Pastor E.A Adeboye, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade and Pastor Ben Akabueze.
Dennis can easily pass as an “Efiko”, having read extensively and continues to read; he is an alumnus of the Prestigious University of Lagos, where he bagged his First and Second Degrees. He has a Masters Degree in Public Affairs Administration and International Relations and is having his Advanced Post Graduate Research in Media and Communications at the Pan Atlantic University (PAU) of the Lagos Business School Fame where he is writing his Thesis on the Impacts of Digital Communication Platforms on Political Particpation in Indigenous Environments.
He is a Stalwart of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, and has made huge sacrifices contributing his quota to the stability of the APC in Ogun State as being witnessed today as alloted by his Principal.
Having worked satisfactorily as Team Lead of the Media, Communications and Technology Unit at Heyden Petroleum, a company established by His Principal, he served as the internal Lead Consultant of DA Situation room in the 2015 and 2019 General Elections.
Porpularly called “Engine Room” at the Party Secretariat, He worked assiduously with his group, to ensure the APC became victorious in the 2019 General Elections, where he developed Digital Secretariat Support Systems at the Ogun APC Party Secretariat under the leadership of Chief Yemi Sanusi which have been sustained till date.
He was saddled with the responsiblity of training Party Agents accross Ogun State on the Innovations Deployed for the purpose of Election Monitoring, Understanding INED Card Reader Signals, and Grassroots Voters Mobilisation from the Period of APC Direct Primaries till the General Elections that saw the emergence of the Current Methodical and Highly Cerebral Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR.
On the 29th of May 2019, just as the Governor was sworn in, he was appointed A Special Assistant to the newly sworn-in, 5th and the incumbent Executive Governor of Ogun State in the Office of The Governor where he works till date and has made tangible contributions to several Government Policies like the Job Portal Intitiative, Ogun Tech Hub, Oko-Owo Dapo Women Empowerment Initiative, The Ogun Youth Empowerment Scheme OG-YES, Ogun Broadband Internet Infrastructure, revamping of the Ogun State Website, Digital Security Surveillance Architecture and other Digital Transformation Initiatives.
Dennis enjoys Research, Public Speaking, and Travelling. He mentors to many youngsters and speaks at seminars and conferences accross continents.
