It was an afternoon of cheers, chants, and cultural colour in Ijebu-East Local Government Area Ijebu Imushin when the BATOGD Movement, led by the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, stormed the town once again for another round of empowerment and community engagement.
The visit, part of the senator’s ongoing MIDCAR Tour, was expected to be a routine stop — speeches, handshakes, empowerment packages, and promises. But what happened next became the story of the day — one that many locals are still talking about.
In a moment that beautifully merged tradition with compassion, Senator Daniel awarded a scholarship to a young masquerade, stunning the crowd and symbolically reminding everyone that no member of the community is too small, too humble, or too “spiritual” to be seen, heard, or helped.
The recipient, Adesanya Emmanuel, a Junior Secondary School 1 student, had participated in the day’s cultural parade as part of his family’s traditional heritage. What began as a regular outing in honour of ancestral customs turned into a life-changing experience.
Fielding questions from Sage Magazine reporter, Emmanuel said he didn’t do anything special to deserve the award.
“I was just being myself and following my family’s heritage, as required of me,” he said with a tiny voice, still in disbelief that his devotion to culture had earned him an academic lifeline.
For many onlookers, the gesture was deeply symbolic — a bridge between the past and the present, between spiritual identity and social progress. It was a reminder that, for Senator Daniel, community service goes beyond political boundaries; it touches culture, humanity, and heritage itself.
Beyond the emotional scholarship moment, the BATOGD event was also packed with empowerment activities aimed at transforming lives across the senatorial district. The movement distributed start-up kits, offered interest-free microcredit, and provided skills acquisition training for artisans and small business owners.
However, while the empowerment items were warmly received, some observers noted that the materials seemed relatively modest compared to the large crowd gathered in eager expectation — almost like a drop in an ocean.
Responding to this perception, Mr. Steve Oliyide, the Media Aides to Senator Gbenga Daniel, offered a broader perspective.
“It may seem small when considered individually,” Oliyide explained, “but we must remember that we are going to nine local governments. We’re still on it — we’re not done. You know he doesn’t run local government things; he runs ward to ward. And each ward gets as much as you see here.”
Gesturing toward the field where hundreds stood, he continued:
“Now, imagine all these multiplied by nine local governments — how do you think it will look? Multiply what we have here by nine, and you’ll see this field won’t contain it. That tells you we want these items in the hands of the people.”
Senator Daniel also highlighted some of his recent community development efforts, including the installation of a solar-powered borehole in Igbaga, Ijebu-Imushin, to ensure clean and sustainable water supply, and the eye-care outreach programme that has so far provided surgeries, eyeglasses, and medical attention to over 4,000 residents of Ogun East.
“The presence of the BATOGD Movement at the grassroots level sets the stage for the re-election of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections,” Senator Daniel told supporters. “But beyond politics, these empowerment initiatives are about giving back to the people who make our communities strong.”
Among the many who testified to the senator’s generosity was Mrs. Modupe Osibowale from Ijebu-Imushin Ward II, who won a sewing machine during the raffle draw.
“I’m so happy I participated,” she said joyfully. “I thank Senator Gbenga Daniel for this opportunity, and I pray he wins the next election to serve another four years in office.”
In his address, Senator Daniel also spoke passionately about unlocking Ijebu-East’s economic potential, pointing to the region’s abundance of natural resources.
“I share in the pains of our people here in Ijebu-East over the state of underdevelopment,” he said. “This area should be thriving in wealth and prosperity. During my time as Governor of Ogun State, we discovered that Ogun-East has the largest deposit of bitumen in Nigeria. Our vision was to create a new city for mining and exploration — to build wealth and create jobs for our people.”
He described the Ijebu-East Bitumen Exploration and Processing Project as a future cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial renewal, pledging to ensure that natural wealth translates into real development and prosperity.
The event drew an impressive lineup of traditional rulers, including the Oloko of Ijebu-Imushin, Oba Stephen A. Onafowokan; the Olowu of Owu Ijebu, Oba Adeshina Oba Kasali; the Moyegeso of Itele-Ijebu; the Ogirimadagbo of Ilodo, Oba Ajede; and the Elesugbon of Esugbon Ijebu, Oba Titi Hassan, alongside numerous party leaders and supporters.
For residents of Ijebu-East, the day was more than a political outing — it was a moment of connection, gratitude, and shared hope. And for young Emmanuel, the boy behind the mask, it was proof that sometimes, destiny can find you — even when you’re hidden behind a masquerade’s veil.
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