Osun APC Stalwart Dies At 70

A top politician in Osun State and renowned chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Orile-Owu in Aiyedaade Local Government Area, Otunba (Barr.) Gboyega Talib Bello is dead, aged 70 years.

He passed on around 5 a.m. this Saturday at Zenith Hospital, Oluyole G.R.A. Ibadan following a brief illness.

Family sources told newsmen that his remains will be buried in his country home, Orile-Owu, later today (Saturday) at 4p.m. in accordance with Islamic rites.

Born on July 1, 1948, Otunba (Barr.) G. T. Bello, as he is fondly called by friends and associates was the pioneer Commissioner for Works, Lands and Physical Planning in Osun State under the administration of Late Isiaka Adeleke.

He later served as the Chairman of the Governing Council of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) between 1999 and 2003 during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Otunba G. T. Bello was the South West Zonal arrowhead of Obasanjo-Atiku 2003 Organisation that criss crossed the country on a national campaign for the second term electoral victory of that government.

Earlier on the political scene, he was very active in the then Social Democratic Party (SDP) of which he served as member of the party Screening Committee of the Governorship aspirants for the Old Oyo and Osun States.  He was also a member of the defunct Caretaker/Advisory Committee in Osun State.

A notable Legal practitioner, Otunba Bello had prior to his appointment into Osun State Executive Council in February 1992, served as a lead counsel in the law firm of Bola Ige and Co. in Ibadan.  

He actually started his legal practice as a Company Secretary and Commercial Manager in 1979 with a Benin-City based industrial concern, Yakon Enterprises Nigeria Limited, before eventually establishing his own law chambers of G. T. Bello and Co. rendering legal consultancy services to some commercial banks and companies as well as government parastatals.

It is instructive to note that Otunba G. T. Bello had initially commenced his working career earlier in life as a Policeman in the course of which he served meritoriously as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Chief Tony Anenih, the popular politician, who hitherto was a top shot in the Nigeria Police Force.  

Bello, while in the Police service, bagged several commendations and awards including the Best All Round Recruit during the initial enlistment, all in recognition of his distinguished performances.  

Some positions of responsibilities he successfully shouldered included the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Squad, State C.I.D., Ibadan and he was, in another instance, involved in the screening and absorption of police officers of the then Eastern Nigeria (Biafra).  

Otunba Bello left the Police Force as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1976 and headed straight to the University of Lagos where he successfully pursued his LL.B Law course.

He was called to the Bar in 1979 having successfully scale the B.L. programme of the Nigerian Law School. A widely travelled Legal practitioner, Otunba (Barr.) G. T. Bello had, during his life time, visited several countries of the world including the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Romania and the United States of America, among others, either in the course of his profession or in the advancement of tourism.

His hobbies were footballing, lawn and table tennis. An affable family man, Otunba G. T. Bello was happily married and blessed with children and grand children.