A coalition of concerned citizens from Osun State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint Hon. Prince Abdulrasheed Ayandayo Babaranti as the next Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
The plea follows the resignation of the former MD/CEO, Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji, who stepped down to contest in the upcoming Osun governorship election. According to the group, it is both fair and strategically important for an indigene of Osun State to succeed him.
In a statement addressed to the President, the citizens expressed strong opposition to appointing a non-Osun indigene to the role, insisting that Prince. Babaranti is the most qualified and suitable candidate. They described him as a “seasoned financial expert, committed public servant, and a community-focused leader.”
Prince. Babaranti’s supporters highlighted his decades-long banking career, which began during his National Youth Service year at the defunct Société Générale Bank in 1990/1991. His outstanding performance earned him a permanent position, after which he moved to Global Bank (later Intercontinental Bank), rising to the role of Regional Manager overseeing Lagos Island branches. He retired in 2009 with what they described as “a sterling record of professionalism and results-driven leadership.”
Prince Dayo Babaranti is a former Executive Director of Finance and Administration (EDFA) of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA).
Beyond banking, the group praised Babaranti’s contributions to grassroots development in Osun State, particularly through his work with the state’s Microfinance Bank, where he championed initiatives that empowered local residents.
His advocates believe his “innovative mindset, humility, and proven administrative competence” uniquely position him to advance NIWA’s mandate and drive transformative growth within the nation’s inland waterways sector.
They concluded their appeal with confidence that Prince Babaranti represents “the ideal candidate to lead NIWA into a new era of progress and development.”
The statement was signed by Concerned Citizens, on behalf of the people of Osun State and Nigeria.
The letter read,
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
We, the people of Osun State and Nigeria at large, respectfully and strongly advocate for the appointment of Hon. Prince Abdulrasheed Ayandayo Babaranti as the next Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
We humbly submit that it is imperative that an indigene of Osun State succeeds the outgoing Managing Director/CEO, Alh. Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji, who has resigned to contest for the governorship position.
In this regard, we are opposed to the appointment of a non-Osun State indigene to fill this position and instead propose Hon. Prince Dayo Babaranti, a seasoned financial expert and a committed public servant from Osun State.
His dedication to community development is evident in his impactful service at the Microfinance Bank in Osun State, where he supported and empowered numerous indigenes.
His selfless leadership and people-centered approach have remained consistent throughout his political and administrative engagements.
Hon. Prince Dayo Babaranti’s banking career spans over two decades, with a strong foundation laid at the defunct Societie Generae Bank, where he served as a youth corper in 1990/91.
His exceptional performance earned him a spot in the bank’s team, and he continued to excel as a cashier.
His journey then took him to Global Bank, which later became Intercontinental Bank, where he rose through the ranks to become Regional Manager, overseeing Island branches in Lagos.
He retired from this role in 2009, leaving behind a trail of accomplishments and a reputation as a dedicated and results-driven banker.
Prince Dayo Babaranti is a former Executive Director of Finance and Administration (EDFA) of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA).
A true testament to his commitment to excellence and community service is his subsequent transition into public service, where he has continued to make a positive impact.
We humbly appeal to Your Excellency to consider Prince Babaranti’s innovative mindset, humility, and distinguished record of excellence, qualities that uniquely position him to advance NIWA’s mandate and drive transformative growth within the sector.
We firmly believe he is the ideal candidate to lead the agency into a new era of progress and development.
Sincerely,
Concern Citizens
On behalf of the people of Osun State and Nigeria
