Why Top shot Tokunbo Talabi Sets Aside Billionaire Status To Become SSG In Ogun State

Why Tokunbo Talabi, the wealth creator and friend of the high and might has set aside his billionaire status to serve in the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has emerged.

Talabi, 59, was appointed as the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG) in 2019.

The appointment of the co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) was the first made by Governor Abiodun.

Societynow.ng gathered that Talabi who held senior management positions including head Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, Corporate Services, and Banking Operations at GTBank has since grown to become a major voice in the government in charge of the affairs of Ogun State.

The information available revealed that the holder of an MBA degree from the University of Lagos and an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School who took over as the Chairman of VDT Communications from Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musilu Smith was not keen to join politics at the initial stage.

“He was prevailed upon to come make a difference with his wealth of experience” societynow.ng learned.

The details available revealed that immediately he got elected, Governor Abiodun who obviously had a list of professionals he believes would help his administration make a huge impact requested Talabi to be a part of his government.

“They have been friends since Talabi’s days at GTBank and Talabi had naturally massively supported D.A’s (Dapo Abiodun) guber ambition behind the scene but being a part of the government was never on the card” societynow.ng learned

Dapo Abiodun’s claim to fame, Heyden Petroleum did a lot of business with GTBanl during Talabi’s 8 years stint which ended in 1998 and the kind of professionalism the former brought to bear groomed their relationship information at hand revealed.

The Physiotherapy graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife who is on the board of many high net-worth companies was overseeing affairs at the Superflux International Limited, a foremost security printing firm – which he founded – handling the Cheque books of a larger percentage of Nigerian Banks when the offer to serve in the administration of Governor Abiodun came.

“He refused because he doesn’t want getting involved in politics to soil the good name he toiled to build over the years but was prevailed upon to accept through the intervention of a couple of high caliber associates including Fola Adeola” societynow.ng gathered.

Insiders disclosed that Talabi a known investor in strategic sectors such as agro-allied, steel, manufacturing, logistics, real estate, and telecommunications succumbed to pressure to serve in the government of Governor Abiodun because of the huge impact his wealth of experience and contacts would bring to bear.

“He is from Ogun state (Oru-Ijebu in Ijebu North Local Government) and he was convinced to join Governor Abiodun to make the state a model of good governance and I guess that is what they have set about doing” societynow.ng learned.

Those who should know disclosed that the state is being run like a business enterprise with a huge emphasis on cost reduction and development projects across all zones with Talabi who is also the power behind Speedyprints Limited, a pioneering high-value business outsourcing concern, and Papyrus Limited, a paper handling and envelope manufacturing company deeply involved.

The wealth of experience of the SSG who had been part of high impacts national projects such as the Presidential weekly Business Forum, Clearing House System Automation Committee, Committee on National Cash Sorting Consortium Scheme and National Smart Card project and his modesty in relating with all are said to have transformed him the heart-beat of the government he serves – and a major confidant of the Governor.

‘He is very humble and patient but very tenacious in getting things done. The modesty in his approach to things despite the closeness to the Governor is charming a lot of people but is tenacity in seeing tasks through make workers who are used to doing little dread him societynow.ng learned.