GHSM Chieftain Hails Gbenga Hashim’s Legacy, Says Record Of Federal Appointments Remains Unmatched

A chieftain of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) in Kwara State, Olamilekan Esinrogunjo, has described Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as a transformative political leader whose record of facilitating federal appointments and empowering Kwarans remains unrivalled.

Esinrogunjo made the assertion in a post published on his official Facebook page while reacting to the ongoing debate over political leadership in Kwara State following recent developments within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, discussions on the state’s political leadership have largely centred on former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, but he argued that such conversations often overlook what he described as Hashim’s enduring contributions to Kwara’s development.

He claimed that as far back as 1999, Hashim facilitated no fewer than 48 federal appointments for qualified indigenes of the state, adding that the feat has yet to be surpassed more than two decades later.

Among those he listed as beneficiaries were Alhaji Yekini Alabi of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Nurudeen Mohammed of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Alhaji Shaba Lafiaji of the Federal College of Education, Chief Henry Olaosebikan of the National Theatre, Alhaji Baba Gunun of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Barrister Kunle Suleiman of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Chief S. S. Ajibola of the Niger River Basin Development Authority, Engineer Aransiola, who served on the Governing Council of the Federal University, Makurdi, and Chief Sunday Olosunde of Integrated Data Services Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), among others.

Esinrogunjo further alleged that Hashim also facilitated more than 4,000 poverty alleviation jobs for Kwarans, saying the intervention created economic opportunities for thousands of residents across the state.

He maintained that Hashim’s style of leadership was defined by service, humility and commitment to the welfare of the people rather than the pursuit of personal glory.

According to him, “Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim never built a personality cult around his achievements. He empowered people, opened doors for Kwarans and allowed his record to speak for itself.”

The GHSM chieftain argued that the true measure of leadership lies in tangible achievements and the positive impact made on people’s lives rather than political slogans or public relations campaigns.

He therefore called on Kwarans, especially the younger generation, to study the state’s political history objectively and assess leaders based on their record of service, integrity and contributions to the development of the state.