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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • Tinubu Expresses Confidence in Chief of Staff Amidst Allegations

    Tinubu Expresses Confidence in Chief of Staff Amidst Allegations

    By Milcah Tanimu

    In a recent statement, President Bola Tinubu expressed his “absolute confidence” in the integrity of his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. This announcement was made just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    Tinubu’s comments come in response to allegations that Gbajabiamila has been involved in unethical practices, including “trading off appointments in the government of President Tinubu to the highest bidder.” The report claimed that there has been growing discontent among Tinubu’s supporters, with some pushing for Gbajabiamila’s removal from the Presidential Villa.

    The allegations specifically mentioned the appointment of 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission, indicating that the name of an Ekiti REC was replaced with that of a former commissioner under the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi. Furthermore, it was suggested that President’s Private Principal Secretary Akeem Okunola had been performing some of Gbajabiamila’s duties.

    In response, President Tinubu stated, “I have absolute confidence in my Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.” He went on to emphasize his accountability, stating, “So, all campaign of calumny, the buck stops here! If I make mistakes, I’ll own up to them. Like everyone in the country, I make mistakes, and when I make mistakes, I iron them out and correct them. Perfection is of God Almighty.”

  • Breaking News: All Workers to Benefit from Provisional Wage Increase – Gbajabiamila

    Breaking News: All Workers to Benefit from Provisional Wage Increase – Gbajabiamila

    By Daniel Edu

    In a significant development, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has announced that the provisional wage increase initially announced for low-grade workers will now extend to all workers. This revelation came after a four-hour meeting between leaders of Organised Labour and representatives of the Federal Government at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

    Addressing State House Correspondents, Gbajabiamila clarified the expansion of the wage increase, stating, “There was a lot of chatter on Twitter about the issue of low-income workers only falling into the category of the provisional wage increase. And we did communicate with the President, and he quickly did say and agreed that all categories of workers will be given the wage bill. There is nothing like low income, median income, or high income.”

    This development aims to address the concerns that arose after President Tinubu initially announced a provisional wage increment of N25,000 for low-grade workers. Labor unions had expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed six-month duration of the provisional increase and insisted that it should continue until a new minimum wage is officially approved. Additionally, the unions pushed for an upward revision of the wage increase to N35,000.

    Gbajabiamila’s statement has raised hopes that the impending nationwide strike planned for Tuesday may be averted. He expressed optimism, saying, “Hopefully, we expect that Labor will call a meeting of their various branches and executive tomorrow to present the agreements that have been reached, and we pray and we believe and we hope that the strike will be called off on Tuesday.”

    This development signifies progress in the ongoing negotiations between the government and labor unions and could lead to a resolution that benefits all categories of workers in the country.

  • New Insight Into Why Tinubu Appointed Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff

    New Insight Into Why Tinubu Appointed Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff

    By Daniel Edu

    President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Femi Gbajabiamila as his Chief of Staff (CoS) is rooted in a desire to avoid a repetition of Nigeria’s experiences during the first term of former President Muhammadu Buhari, when the late Abba Kyari served as CoS, according to sources cited by Daily Sun.

    A source within the Presidency explained that President Tinubu was acutely aware of the intricacies of Nigerian politics, particularly after Kyari’s influential tenure in the same position. Tinubu, known for his decisiveness and meticulous consideration of key appointments, was determined to select a CoS with specific qualities, experience, and a proven track record, which were non-negotiable criteria. His intention was to enter the presidency with a Chief of Staff who had already mastered the art of supporting a president in running a nation.

    The source emphasized that the selection of Gbajabiamila, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, along with other principal officers of the administration and cabinet members, followed a rigorous process to identify individuals with a unique blend of qualities necessary to navigate the complexities of Nigerian politics successfully.

    Furthermore, the source highlighted Gbajabiamila’s exceptional performance during his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives. His ability to manage various national challenges, including handling national strikes and negotiating with unions, set him apart from other contenders for the role. None of the other candidates came close to matching the nation-building experience Gbajabiamila had gained as the fourth-ranking official in the country.

    The decision to appoint Gbajabiamila gained momentum after the removal of the fuel subsidy, which initially raised concerns about national stability. President Tinubu needed a Chief of Staff who could maintain calm and peace during this challenging period while remaining loyal and supportive.

    The source also noted two additional factors that influenced Gbajabiamila’s selection: his strong work ethic and his ability to utilize government resources to benefit the people. Gbajabiamila’s dedication and hard work during the campaign, as well as his role in the successful passage of the Students Loan Bill, which garnered widespread support, impressed President Tinubu.

    The careful and meticulous process behind President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff selection underscores his commitment to providing effective leadership for Nigeria. His vision for a strong, competent, and experienced Chief of Staff reflects his determination to navigate the complex political landscape and address the nation’s pressing challenges.

    The source described President Tinubu as a visionary leader who understands the importance of the Chief of Staff role in his administration. He emphasized that Gbajabiamila and other key officials in the administration were chosen based on a thorough evaluation of their unique qualities to successfully navigate Nigeria’s political complexities.

    President Tinubu’s reputation for selecting capable individuals for key positions, from vice presidents to governors, ministers, and legislative leaders, highlights his deep understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape and his commitment to effective governance.

  • Gbajabiamila hails Tinubu for signing Student’s loan bill into law

    Gbajabiamila hails Tinubu for signing Student’s loan bill into law

    …rejoices with Nigerian parents, youths

    The outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Student’s Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2019 into law.

    Gbajabiamila said the future of the country had just been guaranteed and strengthened with the new law as no Nigerian child would be denied access to tertiary education on account of lack of financial resources.

    According to Gbajabiamila, who sponsored the bill, President Tinubu has shown enough determination and empathy with Nigerians to deliver good governance, considering the people-oriented and life-changing legislation he has signed into law within the short period of his assumption of office.

    Gbajabiamila noted that the hardship being faced by the unemployed and low-income earners, coupled with the very high cost of living in Nigeria over the years had made access to quality higher education difficult, stressful and in some cases, impossible.

    He also stated that a well-educated citizenry was critical to national development and our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, arguing that higher education should be regarded as a public good benefiting the entire country rather than a commodity solely benefiting the individual recipients.

    The legislation provides for the establishment of the Nigerian Education Fund, domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from which qualified applicants can access education loans through the commercial banks in the country.

    Gbajabiamila, who is the Chief of Staff (CoS) designate to President Tinubu, said the assent to the bill by the President was a testimony and an indication of a smooth legislature-executive relationship in his tenure as President.

    “When the actions of the President are viewed critically and without prejudice, it is reassuring that Nigerians are bound to enjoy good governance if the Legislature and the Executive will continue this symbiotic relationship that has brought massive change into governance within such a short period in the life of this administration.

    “While I congratulate Nigerians on this new feat, I will equally implore our indigent youths to maximize the advantage of the new law that will enable them to chart the future they crave for themselves”, he added.

    Gbajabiamila however noted that considering the patriotic steps and decisions made so far by the President, Nigerians should keep supporting and praying for the President in his strides to bring to bear good governance for the benefit of the greater majority of Nigerians.

  • Tinubu Joins Muslims for Eid Prayers at Dodan Barracks Praying Ground

    Tinubu Joins Muslims for Eid Prayers at Dodan Barracks Praying Ground

    President Bola Tinubu participated in the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Dodan Barracks Praying Ground in Lagos, alongside other Nigerian Muslims.

    Accompanied by prominent government officials such as Mr Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Mr Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos State Governor, President Tinubu joined the congregation for the religious gathering.

    During the sermon delivered by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Suleiman Abu-Nolah, the significance of Eid-el-Kabir was emphasized. He highlighted that the occasion promotes values of sacrifice, unity, and tolerance among the Muslim community.

    The Chief Imam emphasized that religion does not support selfishness, intolerance, or sectionalism. He urged attendees to reflect on the challenges facing the country and seek rectification through prayer and unity.

    Prayers were offered for Nigeria’s continued peace, progress, and stability, and the Chief Imam called upon all Nigerians to embrace the values of Prophet Ibrahim.

    Mr Femi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, urged Nigerians to pray for the well-being of the country. He emphasized the importance of sacrifice and love as citizens’ duties, which contribute to the greatness of the nation.

    In his address, Gbajabiamila affirmed that the president would continue to implement people-oriented policies, instilling hope in Nigerians. He emphasized the need for prayers and support as the president works towards fulfilling the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

    Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that with the prayers and support of all Nigerians, the president would overcome the challenges ahead, acknowledging the weight of the tasks at hand.

  • BREAKING: Gbajabiamila Officially Resign As Lawmaker

    BREAKING: Gbajabiamila Officially Resign As Lawmaker

    Former Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila has resigned from the House of Representatives to take up his role as Chief of Staff to the president.

    His letter of resignation was presented on the floor of the house and read by the speaker.

    More details shortly.

  • Gbajabiamila Congratulates Akpabio, Abbas, others

    Gbajabiamila Congratulates Akpabio, Abbas, others

    The immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated Senator Godswill Akpabio and Rep. Tajudeen Abbas for emerging as the 10th President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively following a keenly contested election on Tuesday.

    Gbajabiamila also sent his congratulations to Sen. Jibrin Barau and Rep. Ben Kalu as deputies to the presiding officers.

    According to Gbajabiamila, who is set to resume as the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the emergence of the presiding officers was an affirmation of the cohesive nature of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the triumph of party supremacy.

    He said it is instructive and reassuring to note that the outcome of the election of the presiding officers showed that the party and the lawmakers have shown that unity of purpose and focus on the needs of the country are greater than personal interests.

    He also congratulated all the members of the 10th National Assembly, including members of the opposition parties that buried their political differences in favour of the national interest to support the candidates of the APC.

    Saying that the members should not lose sight of the work ahead, Gbajabiamila however urged them to keep supporting the presiding officers in their bid to succeed in their constitutional duties for the benefit of Nigerians.

    While wishing them well in their legislative journey, Gbajabiamila also urged the newly inaugurated National Assembly not to abandon some legislation that the last Assembly could not conclude work on.

  • Gbajabiamila Hails Tinubu for Signing Student’s Loan Bill Into Law

    Gbajabiamila Hails Tinubu for Signing Student’s Loan Bill Into Law

    …rejoices with Nigerian parents, youths

    The outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Student’s Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2019 into law.

    Gbajabiamila said the future of the country had just been guaranteed and strengthened with the new law as no Nigerian child would be denied access to tertiary education on account of lack of financial resources.

    According to Gbajabiamila, who sponsored the bill, President Tinubu has shown enough determination and empathy with Nigerians to deliver good governance, considering the people-oriented and life-changing legislation he has signed into law within the short period of his assumption of office.

    Gbajabiamila noted that the hardship being faced by the unemployed and low-income earners, coupled with the very high cost of living in Nigeria over the years had made access to quality higher education difficult, stressful and in some cases, impossible.

    He also stated that a well-educated citizenry was critical to national development and our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, arguing that higher education should be regarded as a public good benefiting the entire country rather than a commodity solely benefiting the individual recipients.

    The legislation provides for the establishment of the Nigerian Education Fund, domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from which qualified applicants can access education loans through the commercial banks in the country.

    Gbajabiamila, who is the Chief of Staff (CoS) designate to President Tinubu, said the assent to the bill by the President was a testimony and an indication of a smooth legislature-executive relationship in his tenure as President.

    “When the actions of the President are viewed critically and without prejudice, it is reassuring that Nigerians are bound to enjoy good governance if the Legislature and the Executive will continue this symbiotic relationship that has brought massive change into governance within such a short period in the life of this administration.

    “While I congratulate Nigerians on this new feat, I will equally implore our indigent youths to maximize the advantage of the new law that will enable them to chart the future they crave for themselves”, he added.

    Gbajabiamila however noted that considering the patriotic steps and decisions made so far by the President, Nigerians should keep supporting and praying for the President in his strides to bring to bear good governance for the benefit of the greater majority of Nigerians.

  • Gbajabiamila rejoices with Nigerians on Democracy Day

    Gbajabiamila rejoices with Nigerians on Democracy Day

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated Nigerians for their unwavering support for the nation’s democracy as they mark this year’s Democracy Day.

    Gbajabiamila said this year’s Democracy Day is worth celebrating because it is a unique milestone in the nation’s democratic journey with the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a thoroughbred democrat, who is noted for his tenacious defence of democracy.

    The Speaker noted that his joy stems from the fact that Nigerians are set to appreciate the true meaning of democracy because the man in the saddle today is a product of democracy and someone who understands and appreciates the tenets of democracy and the value it brings to the table of the populace.

    According to him, as a true democrat who was involved in the struggle for the return of democracy to the country and who has finally assumed the position of authority, President Tinubu will not shy away from bringing to bear the dividends of democracy Nigerians have been yearning for.

    Gbajabiamila also expressed his appreciation to Nigerians as they continue to support the country’s return to democracy by building its processes without wavering since 1999.

    While he urged Nigerians to remain united in the face of the socio-economic and political challenges facing the country, Gbajabiamila called for prayers for the country’s leaders for God’s guidance and wisdom to overcome the many challenges confronting the country.

  • Gbajabiamila To Aides: We Have Accomplished Much In Four Years

    Gbajabiamila To Aides: We Have Accomplished Much In Four Years

    …says you made me a better Speaker

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended his aides for making his job as a presiding officer and alternate chairman of the 9th National Assembly better.

    Gbajabiamila said he could not help but commend his aides for having worked hard behind the scenes in the last four years to enable him to accomplish far-reaching interventions, reforms, and landmark bills that are impacting positively on the Nigerian people and that his tenure would be remembered for.

    According to the Speaker, the 9th House has been the arena of substantive initiatives that have improved vast areas of the nation’s economy, from energy to finance, information technology to insurance, youth empowerment to women’s rights, and so much more.

    Gbajabiamila spoke on Wednesday 31 May 2023 at the National Assembly during a valedictory session for his aides organised by his office, where he expressed his gratitude to his aides for contributing their quota to nation-building during his tenure as the Speaker.

    He said: “You also rarely get credit for the quietly efficient work done behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly through various challenges and limitations.

    “While we will long remember the things we accomplished together, I want you to remember that by our joint efforts, we helped our beloved country avert disaster more than once, and we kept the machinery of the legislature running to the benefit of the Nigerian people.

    “While we were here, we didn’t just mark time; we made a difference. You made me a better Speaker of the House of Representatives. I thank you most sincerely for it.

    “I want you to be as proud of these efforts as you are of the many programmes and projects we initiated and executed with flair.”

    Wishing his aides well in their next endeavours, he stated, “Though our days in this office are nearly over, I hope our public service will continue for as long as we have the strength and the ability to improve our communities and make the life of man on this earth better.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Olanrewaju Smart appreciated the speaker for providing the platform and creating the enabling environment for the aides to contribute to the speaker’s tenure mantra of ‘Nation-Building: A Joint Task.’

    He also acknowledged the contributions of his colleagues to the many successes recorded by Gbajabiamila, saying, “By all estimates, the 9th House of Representatives has been one of the most productive legislatures in the history of our democracy.

    “This office and the people in it have been instrumental in all these accomplishments. That is a legacy we can all be proud of.”

    While presenting the speaker with a handover document, a novel initiative and the first of its kind that highlights the function, architecture, and relationships of the Speaker’s Office, he said, “In our final act of public service, we have worked together to produce a handover note that presents the reality of the last four years, articulates our achievements and challenges, and sets out recommendations for the future.

    “It may surprise some of you that this is the first time such a document has been produced in the House of Representatives, or the National Assembly, for that matter.”

    The event was rounded off with the speaker presenting letters of commendation and plaques as a gesture of his appreciation to his aides.