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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

Eid-el-Fitr: Gbajabiamila enjoins Muslims to pray for Nigeria, ensure peaceful coexistence
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to use the period of Eid-el-Fitr and pray for the country to overcome her challenges.
The Speaker said after supplications during the just concluded month of Ramadan, it was incumbent on the Muslims to pray that the Almighty Allah brings peace to our land.
He said Nigeria faces challenges at the moment, “which is why as citizens, we should pray to our Creator for solutions even as leaders try their best to address the issues.”
Gbajabiamila congratulated Nigerian Muslims for the successful completion of fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadan, praying that Allah would accept their acts of ibadah during the period.
He urged Muslims to internalize the lessons learnt during the month of Ramadan for a better society.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker called on Muslims to ensure peaceful coexistence with their neighbours.
He said the Islamic religion emphasizes peace, which is why every Muslim must be peaceful in their conduct wherever they find themselves.
Gbajabiamila wished all Muslims a peaceful Sallah celebration, calling for vigilance and caution while celebrating.
May 11, 2021
Gbajabiamila seeks stronger ties between Nigeria, Sao Tome & Principe
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for stronger socio-economic and political ties between Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe in the spirit of African brotherhood.
Gbajabiamila said both countries could partner in the areas of agriculture, tourism and commerce.
He spoke in Abuja on Friday when he received the President of the Parliament of Sao Tome and Principe, Hon. Delfim Santiago Das Neves, who paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly.
The Nigerian Speaker, who noted that he had looked forward to such a meeting, added that the world had become a “big village” where countries must work together closely to harness their areas of common interests.
Gbajabiamila cited an example with the 9th Assembly, which he said had deliberately embarked on “parliamentary diplomacy” since 2019 to help build friendships between Nigeria and other countries, especially on the African continent.
He explained that such parliamentary friendship groups helped to resolve issues through legislative interventions and dialogues.
“I am excited because this meeting will strengthen and deepen economic and socio-political ties between Nigeria and your country…
“Sao Tome and Principe is rich in agriculture and tourism. This is an area Nigeria can tap into.
“In our house here, we have, since 2019, embarked on parliamentary diplomacy.
We have established friendship groups with many countries and I use this opportunity to invite Sao Tome and Principe to be part of this process”, he added.
The Nigerian Speaker also invited Sao Tome and Principe to join the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, which would hold its inaugural meeting later in October this year.
Sao Tome Principe goes to the polls on July 17 to elect new political office holders, and Gbajabiamila seized the opportunity of Das Neves’ visit to wish the country luck and pray for the success of the exercise.
Speaking earlier, Das Neves said Nigeria and his country were one, as he recalled that the first settlers in Sao Tome and Principe actually came from Nigeria.
He called for improved relations between the two countries, which Das Neves admitted had not grown much in the last 10 years.
Das Neves called for a partnership to promote free trade zones and the establishment of a joint maritime security force to protect people and goods on the Gulf of Guinea.
Das Neves, who said he was happy to visit Nigeria, also solicited Nigeria’s support for the upcoming general elections in Sao Tome and Principe.
May 7, 2021
Gbajabiamila commiserates with Pastor Adeboye over son’s death
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has commiserated with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over the death of his son, Dare.
Gbajabiamila said it is painful for a father to lose his child at any point in time, saying the younger Adeboye lived a life full of worship to the Lord and service to humanity.
The Speaker recalled how Dare took after his father in the work of God and rose to become one of the leading youth pastors in RCCG.
Gbajabiamila expressed sadness over the loss of such a “promising young man”.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker sent his condolences to the entire Adeboye family, especially Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife, Folu Adeboye.
Gbajabiamila said one could not question God over the loss, but urged the Adeboyes to find solace in the fact that Pastor Dare was a perfect example of how our youth should be and became a role model to many.
“I was saddened by the news of the demise of Pastor Dare Adeboye. His demise is painful, especially now that we need youth like him to serve as role models to their peers.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Adeboye family and the entire RCCG family at this difficult moment.”
“I pray that the good Lord will find a peaceful resting place for Pastor Dare Adeboye,” Gbajabiamila said.
May 7, 2021
We must all protect democracy -Gbajabiamila
…as Speaker wins award for contribution to a free press
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that all Nigerians, whether in government or as professionals, must rededicate themselves to the protection of democracy.
He also said all Nigerians must see nation-building as a ‘joint task,’ saying each Nigerian has a critical role to play to achieve the best vision for the country.
Gbajabiamila was speaking on Wednesday night in Abuja at the 2021 Press Freedom Awards organised by the national body of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The speaker, who delivered the keynote address of the night, spoke on the topic, ‘Press Freedom, Democracy and Good Governance.’
Speaker Gbajabiamila stated, “Our democracy has survived twenty-two long years, but we cannot take it for granted. We are at this moment buffeted by ill wind on all sides.
“Our highest task, our most pressing ambition for which there are no other alternatives, is the protection of this democracy. If we fail in this regard, nothing else will matter, nothing else we do will count in our favour when the tally of history is settled.
“We have it in our power to improve our nation’s future and leave this world better than we found it. So, let us do that together.”
The speaker, represented by the Deputy House Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason, supported the promotion of free press and free expression, noting that these were “fundamental safeguards of our democracy.”
Gbajabiamila also said he backed journalists in practising their profession by holding those in government to account.
However, he advised that in doing so, journalists must be truly professional by reporting the truth always, as against the growing trend in certain media outfits of reporting falsehoods.
He added, “You can only live up to this responsibility when you commit to the vigorous pursuit of elusive truths, and dedicate yourselves to the service of paramount principles.
“Unfortunately, a number of those who practice journalism in our country have failed and are failing to live up to the responsibility imposed by the power you hold.
“Far from giving voice to the aspirations of our nation, or holding the powerful properly to account, much of journalism in Nigeria has become an endless pursuit of clickbait through the careless writing of falsehoods and malicious publication of half-truths.”
The speaker urged journalists and all Nigerians alike to rededicate themselves to the ideals of democracy, calling for better safeguards for the practice of journalism in the country.
“So, we arrive at the recognition that all of us – government and journalists alike – have not always lived up to the responsibilities we owe to our country and each other.
“Let us all choose today to rededicate ourselves to the unyielding pursuit of excellence in governance and journalism, recognising that what is at stake is not profit or promotion, political power or personal ambition, but the very survival of our country. Nation-building is a joint task.
“Each of us has a role to play if we will in our lifetime achieve the best vision of a country that works for all our nation’s people.”
The highlight of the event was the conferment of the award of ‘Distinguished Defender of Free Press’ on the Speaker.
May 7, 2021
Resident doctors hint at suspension of planned strike
…after exhaustive meeting with Gbajabiamila
Following an exhaustive meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have hinted that they are ready to suspend their planned resumption of strike on Friday, May 7.
The doctors, at the resumption of the meeting with Gbajabiamila which began last week, said they would suspend the planned resumption of the strike as soon as they got payment for their salary arrears ranging from one to five months.
They took the position after the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said funds were available for the payment, assuring that her ministry would pay immediately a verified list of the beneficiaries was received.
However, when the Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabueze, who was one of the stakeholders at the meeting, confirmed that his office was in receipt of the list, the minister gave her word that payment would be made by May 7.
The resident doctors had on April 1 embarked on an indefinite strike, making some demands, which included non-payment of house officers, abolishment of bench fees, non-payment of national minimum wage, salary shortfall for 2014, 2015 and 2016, residency training allowance, and payment of resident doctors on GIFMIS platform.
All the issues raised by the doctors were resolved, except that of salary shortfall for 2014, 2015 and 2016. The issue involves all health workers with a cost implication of about N23 billion, which the Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, described as “huge and complicated.”
Also, there were claims that a case on the matter was before a court, which the Speaker asked the Ministry of Health, Dr Osahie Ehanire, to produce the relevant court papers to back the claim as the resident doctors said their checks revealed there was no pending court case anywhere on the matter.
It was then agreed jointly by the doctors, the House led by the Speaker and officials of the ministry of health that the matter should be set aside until court papers were provided.
Others present at the meeting, which lasted up to late Tuesday evening, were the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu; Minority Whip, Gideon Gwani; Chairman House Committee on Healthcare Services, Tanko Sununu, among others.
On the part of the Executive arm, there were Dr Ehanire; Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan; Chairman of the Committee of CMDs, Dr Jafaru Momoh; the NARD President, Dr Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, among others.
Recall that since he assumed office, Gbajabiamila has been on the issue of the resident doctors, who had threatened to embark on strike at different times
May 4, 2021
Workers Day: Gbajabiamila pays tributes to Nigerian workers
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has paid glowing tributes to Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers’ Day.
Gbajabiamila, who said Nigerian workers are worthy of being celebrated, noted that the Nigerian system remains stable due to the dedication and sacrifices of the workers.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said the welfare of workers would remain paramount on the government’s table.
The Speaker was particularly elated by the resilience of Nigerian workers, whom he described as the bedrock of the society.
He said the 9th House of Representatives remains committed to improving the working conditions of workers through legislative interventions.
The speaker called on workers to continue to give their best to the country, even as government must keep its side of the bargain to the workers.
May 1, 2021
Gbajabiamila receives Mali’s candidate for Pan-African Parliament post, pledges Nigeria’s support
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has pledged the support of Nigeria for Mali’s candidate, Mrs Haidara Cisse Aichata, who is vying to become the President of the Pan-African Parliament.
Aichata will become the first woman to occupy the seat in the last 20 years if she emerges victorious.
Speaker Gbajabiamila, who was speaking in Abuja on Friday when Aichata paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly, noted that she has the rich pedigree to win the votes of most member states.
“Let me state very clearly and categorically, I see no reason why we will not support you.
“As a parliament and as a country, we will put our weight behind you, particularly because you will also be making history as the first woman in the last 20 years to occupy that seat”, the Nigerian Speaker stated.
He recalled that Nigeria too had once vied for and won the position, adding that the country enjoyed the support of Mali back then.
He said the support given by Mali ensured that Hon. Bethel Amadi, now of blessed memory, won the election to become the President of the parliament in 2012.
Gbajabiamila, who assured his visitor that this was Nigeria’s moment to reciprocate the gesture, added that Nigerian lawmakers would not only vote for her but also sell her candidacy to other countries.
He seized the opportunity of the visit to canvass support for Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who is contesting for the position of Vice-President of the parliament.
“I believe we also have someone in the Senate, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who is vying for the position of VP, and hopefully he will be your VP.
“We solicit support for him as well”, Gbajabiamila said.
The Nigerian Speaker also used the opportunity to introduce to Aichata, the Conference of Speakers of African Parliament (COSAP), saying, “I am sure by the time you are elected President, COSAP will be with you and collaborate with you for the good of the continent.”
Gbajabiamila spoke on the cordial diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Mali, observing that both West African neighbours have had mutually beneficial engagements over time.
Gbajabiamila spoke further, “I recollect Nigeria had been in the forefront of sending troops when you had problems in Mali.
“In 2018 when you had your election crisis, Nigeria was there, and during the 2020 military coup as well, Nigeria played a critical role. We have had a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. We have to sustain that.”
Speaking earlier, Aichata told Gbajabiamila that the sole aim of her visit was to seek the votes of Nigeria to win the election.
She said with the support of Nigeria, one of the most powerful countries in Africa, she was guaranteed victory, a reason she felt it was necessary to pay the visit.
Aichata informed Speaker Gbajabiamila that she had already met with President Muhammadu Buhari and several Nigerian lawmakers, all of who backed her ambition.
April 30, 2021
Gbajabiamila meets govt officials to avert resumption of doctors’ strike
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, met with the relevant government officials with a view to averting the resumption of the strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
At the meeting, issues such as non-payment of house officers, abolishment of bench fees, non-payment of national minimum wage, salary shortfall for 2014, 2015, and 2016, residency training allowance, and payment of resident doctors on GIFMIS platform were discussed.
Present at the meeting were top officials from the ministries of finance, health, labour, and employment as well as the Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, officials from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs), among others.
The DG, Budget Office, Akabueze, informed the Speaker that action was being taken on the issues at stake and that a recommendation was submitted to the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, for approval after which payment would be made.
On his part, the permanent secretary in the finance ministry, Shehu Shinkafi, who represented the minister, said he would get back to her so that payment could be made before May 7.
It was agreed that another meeting would be held on Tuesday, May 4, for a conclusion on some of the issues at stake to avoid the planned resumption of the strike by the doctors.
Others present at the meeting were the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Yerima Tafa; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi Mashi; the chairman, Committee of CMDs, Dr. Jafaru Momoh, who is also the CMD of the National Hospital, Abuja, officials from MDCN, among others.
The resident doctors had earlier this month embarked on an indefinite strike, making some demands and insisting that they must be met before they would call off the strike.
However, with the intervention of Speaker Gbajabiamila and other top government officials, the doctors suspended the strike and said if the issues were not resolved, they would resume on May 7.
As part of efforts to put the dispute to rest, Gbajabiamila visited the resident doctors at their headquarters in Abuja to assure them that actions were being taken to have a lasting solution.
Thursday’s meeting was part of the actions being taken by the Speaker to address the dispute.
Recall that since the assumption of office, Gbajabiamila has been on the issue of the resident doctors, who had threatened to embark on strike at different times.
April 29, 2021
Gbajabiamila voices concern over banks’ ‘hidden’ charges, exploitative marketing in Nigeria
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed concern over the way banks charge customers indiscriminately during transactions.
The Speaker said apart from charges known to the customers, there appeared to be other ‘hidden’ charges that the banks imposed on their customers.
He stated that the House was concerned that such a practice was making customers helpless, calling on Nigerian banks to come up with ways to address high charges on loans and other facilities they offered.
Speaking when he hosted the Board and Management of the Standard Chartered Bank, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lamin Manjang, the Speaker said: “We have issues that come up in your industry, so this visit is a welcome development.
“One of the issues at stake is the rate at which banks charge customers. There are claims that banks have hidden charges. This has come up a couple of times on the floor of the House. This is something that we should look into.”
Gbajabiamila also voiced concern over the kind of exploitative marketing some banks’ marketers are subjected to and demanded to know if that was the practice all over the world.
“You have corporations in the UK and other parts of the world, what obtains here in terms of banking, in terms of marketing, sending people to go and knock at people’s offices and all that; does it obtain in those places?”, he asked.
The Speaker noted that “If it doesn’t obtain in those countries, it’s not international best practice, why should it obtain here?”
Gbajabiamila, who went down memory lane, told the delegation that some years back, he came up with a bill against corporate prostitution, but that it did not sail through.
“We’re here to support you. Whatever we need to do, we should do it to support you.
“We need to know the kind of marketing that takes place. Is it digital marketing? We also have to set realistic targets for the marketers. We have the responsibility to protect Nigerians, and we also have the responsibility not to kill your business. So, it’s a delicate situation.”
The CEO of the Standard Chartered Bank, Mr Manjang, had earlier told the Speaker that his bank was one of the oldest banks in Nigeria and that it had a strong presence in Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Mr Manjang, a Gambian, said having taken the position of CEO of the bank two years ago, it was imperative to visit the Speaker to reiterate the bank’s commitment to Nigeria, saying they would continue to play their role to make Nigeria achieve its goals.
Responding to the issue of exploitative marketing, Mr Manjang said it was a practice that allowed banks to market their products to the customers, but that it had to be ethical.
“It’s not peculiar to Nigeria. But it has to be ethical. Teams usually go round. But the ethical conduct has to be there. You need to have marketing for people to know what you offer. If there are any abuses or conducts that are not ideal, they should be called out and addressed”, he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Banking and Currency, Rep. Victor Nwokolo, said Nigerians had been battling with the issue of high interest rates by banks and that the issue needs to be tackled head-on.
April 26, 2021
Speaker Gbajabiamila extols Mutiu Are at 62
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has felicitated with Alhaji Mutiu Are, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State as he marks his 62nd birthday anniversary.
The Speaker said Alhaji Mutiu Are has become a force to reckon with among the APC family in Lagos State, saying his contributions to the development of the party over the years are legion.
Gbajabiamila, who eulogised Are for his unique leadership qualities, said his likes are needed to move the APC family forward.
He noted with delight how Alhaji Mutiu Are who is the board Chairman of the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa, Niger State used the positions he occupied over the years to better the lives of others, saying such gestures are worth emulation.
In a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said at 62, Alhaji Are has achieved a lot in life and that his contributions to humanity would remain indelible.
Gbajabiamila said Are’s political sagacity and acumen earned him the position of the secretary of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the highest advisory organ of the APC in Lagos State, with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Chairman.
“I join millions of Lagosians today to celebrate an illustrious son of ours, Alhaji Mutiu Are, who turns 62.
“I am particularly delighted and proud of Alhaji Are, who is one of the trailblazers of the APC in Lagos, for what he has achieved individually and collectively over the years.
“He is a shining star. A man of honour who has his people at heart. He possesses a lot of qualities that our upcoming politicians should emulate.
“I pray that the Almighty will continue to protect and guide this great mind as he continues to do good things for the people of Lagos and other Nigerians,” the Speaker said.
April 17, 2021