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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

Gbajabiamila tasks Nollywood on positive projection of Nigeria’s culture, image
…seeks combined efforts for a prosperous nation
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has emphasized the need for positive projection of Nigeria’s culture and image to the outside world by the players in the nation’s entertainment industry.
This is just as the Speaker stressed the need for the combined efforts of patriots working together to make real the vision of a prosperous and peaceful country.
According to Gbajabiamila, players in the nation’s entertainment industry, popularly known as Nollywood, have a critical role to play in not only shaping the society for the better but also influencing how the nation is viewed by the outside world through the content of their trade.
A statement by his Media Adviser, Lanre Lasisi, said the Speaker made the call in his address at the opening of a two-day Leadership Master Training for Nollywood Celebrities and Stakeholders under the platform of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Abuja on Friday.
He said, “Beyond the questions of economics and profit, there is the issue of the critical role of Nollywood in influencing culture, defining national character, and promoting national identity.
“You also have a responsibility to tell the best stories of our beloved country. I do not propose to turn you into cheerleaders for a Nigeria that does not exist. But the stories of men and women thriving through adversity and innovating for prosperity needs to be told, and it falls to you to tell those stories.
“I hold in my heart a fundamental belief that our highest aspirations for Nigeria can only be achieved by the combined effort of patriots working together to make real the vision of a prosperous and peaceful country”.
To emphasise the importance of Nollywood to the nation’s socio-economic development, the Speaker noted that the entertainment industry in Nigeria has grown to become a critical part of the economy.
He, however, stressed that by addressing the challenges confronting the industry, much more can be achieved, saying, “With adequate investment, a supportive regulatory environment, better training and capacity development, Nollywood will grow beyond our present dreams and surpass our highest ambitions.
“It falls to all of us, in government, in the private sector and across society to identify the ways we can help the industry reach the heights we all know is possible”.
Gbajabiamila said the training was apt, particularly at this moment in the national history when the challenges we face require leadership, creativity and innovation in bounds.
“One of the other reasons this event is especially timely is that it provides an opportunity to answer the question of how to rebuild the industry after what has been a difficult year.
“Additionally, we can lay the groundwork for future collaboration and acquire the leadership resources that will stand the industry in good stead for the future,” he added.
The Speaker also assured the actors of his continued support for the upliftment of their trade towards ensuring that the industry continues to contribute to the socio-economic advancement of Nigeria
Earlier, House Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, expressed delight at the event, noting that “The much needed strategic multisectoral efforts to guarantee the desired rebound and repositioning of the movie industry in Nigeria, though long overdue, has begun”.
According to him, the country’s movie industry, more than any other social platform, remains critical in the moulding of the character of members of the society, especially the youths, women and children, as well as the outside world seeing the nation from the plots, setting and narratives of the movies.
He said it is incumbent on the Guild to be deliberately nationalistic in what they produce to the world.
“Our films must deliberately promote our unity as a people as well as encourage actions that spur mutual understanding, harmonious co-existence and forcefully show our quest for a peaceful society where economic and social activities thrive”, he added.
The two-day event saw the convergence of Nollywood actors across the country in Abuja for the training.
April 16, 2021
Many owe their successes to God through Tinubu – Gbajabiamila
…says APC leader spends 365 days attending to Nigerians
Many people owe their successes to the magnanimity and accommodating nature of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.
Speaking at the 12th Colloquium, virtually, to mark the 69th birthday of the former governor of Lagos State, the Speaker said God used Tinubu to change the lives of so many people.
“Today is Asiwaju’s day, it’s about him and it’s about Nigeria. I make bold to say, many of us, me inclusive, owe our personal successes to God, but I know and recognize that God did not come down. He used Asiwaju as a vessel,” he said.
Paying glowing tributes to the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, Gbajabiamila noted that Tinubu is the only living politician that he knows who attends to Nigerians from all walks of life 365 days a year.
“Asiwaju is known for his uncanny and unparalleled ability and capacity to identify, spotlight and zero in on talents. He’s done that with me; he’s done that with so many others, that is a mark of leadership.
“There are so many superlative words that have been used to describe Asiwaju today, so I am not going to bore you and be repetitive.
“But I must say something: I do not know of a man or woman, dead or alive, in Nigeria, that eats, drinks, walks, sleeps politics 24/7, 365 days;
“To me, there is only one word to describe somebody like that; someone with that kind of capacity, it’s called a gift, and it’s a gift from God, and that is what God has given him. I don’t know of anyone that can go through all that for 365 days a year attending to people from 11.am to 4.am and he is still standing. Thank God for people like him; it is divine and I wish him luck.”
Gbajabiamila advised that Tinubu’s suggestions on how to tackle some national issues be “practicalized.”
“Today, we have listened to him and picked from what we have learned and what we have heard. I want to say let’s practicalize those things and get to our Eldorado in Nigeria.
“For Asiwaju, you may not know this, but I am here via zoom, I’ve read chats, I’ve read comments on zoom, there is an outpouring of love from all over the world for you.
“And it gratifies me and makes me so happy, that what you have done, the investment that you have put in – financial, energy, contacts – is appreciated by so many, I thank God for your life.
“Like I always say, happy birthday to you Asiwaju, may the best days of your past be the worst days of your future.”
March 30, 2021
Speaker Gbajabiamila felicitates with Ugwuanyi at 57
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has felicitated with the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his 57th birthday.
Gbajabiamila said Ugwuanyi, who was a member of the House of Representatives until 2015, has been a friend worthy of being celebrated.
Gbajabiamila said despite Ugwuanyi’s membership of a different political party, the Enugu State governor plays politics without bitterness, which is a virtue of a good politician.
The Speaker recalled with nostalgia Ugwuanyi’s contributions to the development of the Legislature when he served as a member.
He congratulated the Enugu State Governor for marking his 57th birthday in good health and wished him more years under God’s protection and guidance.
March 20, 2021
Reps set up high powered Committee on Security
The House of Representatives on Wednesday constituted a high powered committee to draw up a blueprint to end the security challenges in the country and come up with a report within three weeks.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila announced that the composition of the committee was part of the decision reached during an executive session of the House early on Wednesday before the commencement of plenary.

The Speaker said the committee will be made up of all principal officers of the House and 30 other members drawn from states across the country.
Details shortly…
March 17, 2021
Gbajabiamila felicitates with Lagos APC caretaker Chairman, Balogun at 70
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has felicitated with Alhaji Babatunde Alade Balogun, the caretaker committee chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, on his 70th birthday.
Gbajabiamila, who eulogised the virtues of Alhaji Balogun, said the life of the APC caretaker chairman has been beneficial to mankind.
The Speaker noted with delight Alhaji Balogun’s invaluable contributions to the development of Lagos State in the last seven decades.
He said Alhaji Balogun is one politician that holds his people dear to his heart at all times.
Since his entry into partisan politics in the defunct Second Republic when he became a member of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and later Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Third Republic, Alhaji Balogun has never looked back, the Speaker said.
He was elected the Vice-chairman of Apapa Local Government Council in 1996 and 1999, he was appointed first as commissioner for Commerce and Industry and later Home Affairs and Culture in 2002, a position he held till 2011 at the expiration of the first tenure of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola.
“I, therefore, join millions of our people to wish Alhaji Babatunde Alade Balogun, happy 70th birthday. May the good Allah continue to keep him in good health and increase him in wisdom,” Gbajabiamila said.
March 12, 2021
Why we must correct anomalies in gas sector – Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday said Nigeria’s gas sector has the potential to create millions of jobs, bring about industrialisation as well as generate more revenue for the government.
For these reasons, Gbajabiamila said, the country must do all it could to correct all anomalies in the sector.
Declaring open a public hearing on the ‘Inclusion of Gas Terms in Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) organized by the Joint House Committee on Gas Resources, Petroleum Resources (upstream) and Petroleum Resources (downstream) on Tuesday at the National Assembly, the Speaker said he believed the panel would do justice to the matter.
“For too long, Nigeria’s natural gas resources have existed almost as an afterthought both as a matter of policymaking and as a focus of investment and exploration. Given the potential of natural gas for industrialisation, job creation and revenue generation for the government, this is a significant error that ought now to be corrected with all urgency.
“It falls to this Joint Committee of the House of Representatives to articulate the way forward and to do so, taking into account the concerns of all the stakeholders and the expectations of the Nigerian people.
“The Public Hearing we have gathered for today is an important part of the Joint Committee’s assignment. It is also an opportunity for stakeholders from across the oil and gas sector and the country to present information, and contribute ideas that will help the Joint Committee arrive at the proper conclusions and propose effective solutions.
“This Public Hearing ought to have happened and the Joint Committee’s assignment should have been completed long before now. However, we have had to adjust plans and make modifications to accommodate the new realities imposed due to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Nonetheless I am certain that the assignment will shortly be completed, and a report presented to the House for consideration and adoption,” he said.
Earlier in an opening remark, the lead chairman of the Joint Committee, Rep. Nicholas Mutu, who chairs the Committee on Gas Resources, said the public hearing was an opportunity to offer practical suggestions for a structured bouquet of incentives that would attract investors to the sector and provide access to finance and profit-sharing.
He said: “Nigeria’s enormous gas reserves demand a robust public policy to drive gas development and boost the Nigerian economy, create jobs, stimulate incomes for gas value-chain resources and earn revenue for the government.”
On his part, one of the co-chairmen of the Joint Committee, Rep. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya, who heads the Committee on Petroleum (downstream), thanked the Speaker for attending the event and promised that the panel would do a diligent job.
March 8, 2021
COVID-19 vaccination: We must rally behind government to fight unseen enemy – Gbajabiamila

…advises against playing politics with vaccines

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged all Nigerians to rally behind the Federal Government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, describing it as “an unseen enemy” causing havoc around the world.

He noted that only a collective effort devoid of politics and conspiracy theories could guarantee a successful war against the virus.

Gbajabiamila, who was speaking in Abuja on Friday during the National Flag-off of Covid-19 Vaccination in Nigeria, also appealed to the media to pass accurate information about the virus and the vaccines to the public.

The speaker added that the vaccination was an “epical” moment in the history of the country, as Nigeria finally began the journey of fighting a pandemic that ravaged it and changed lifestyles in the last one year.

Nigeria had on March 2 received the first batch of about 4 million Oxford/AstraZeneca jab Covid-19 vaccines and launched the national vaccination against the virus on Friday.

Gbajabiamila said: “This is the time for us to rally behind the government. Like the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has said, the virus knows no creed, knows no religion, knows no ethnicity, knows no sex and knows no age.

“So, it is important for all of us to come together as a country to fight the pandemic. As I have often said, we are actually in a war, but in a war with an unseen enemy.

“Therefore, when a country goes to war, you go as one. I want to implore the journalists and implore all Nigerians, therefore, not to give in to conspiracy theories because we will hear them.

The Speaker assured Nigerians that with the support of the National Assembly, the government would deliver more vaccine doses to the country soon to expand the vaccination beyond the first 4 million doses.

He advised against playing politics with the vaccination and specifically enlisted the support of the media to ensure that the right decisions were taken always.

“We must not play politics with vaccines; we must not play politics with the health of our neighbour; we must be on the same page whilst we also correct and do what you need to do in terms of your role in checking the government and holding their feet to the fire”, Gbajabiamila said.

The Speaker commended the efforts of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 led by the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, for the doggedness with which the members worked in the last one year to contain the virus from spiralling out of control in Nigeria.

He praised health workers and other frontline personnel glowingly for risking their lives so that the lives of other Nigerians could be saved from the virus.

In keeping with the government’s promise to administer the vaccines to health workers first, Dr. Cyprian Ngom, a physician managing one of the treatment centres in the Federal Capital Territory, made history as the first Nigerian to take the Covid-19 vaccine on Friday.
March 5, 2021
We’ll continue to contribute towards Development of Lagos – Gbajabiamila
…commends Sanwo-Olu
Members of the National Assembly from Lagos State will continue to contribute their quota and complement the state government towards the development of the state, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.
Gbajabiamila said “Lagos remains the centre of innovation, the preferred destination for investment and home to more Nigerians than anywhere else in the country,” hence the need for all Lagosians to continue to work assiduously to make the state better.
Speaking at the 16th Executive/Legislative Parley of Lagos State with the theme ‘A Consensus Agenda for Rebuilding Lagos,’ on Friday, the Speaker commended the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the excellent leadership he has been demonstrating since he came on board.
He said Lagos has “faced a public health crisis, unlike anything that has ever come before. For weeks, Lagos was the arena for protests against police abuse of power. We experienced an explosion of violence that caused the destruction of public and private properties and the unfortunate loss of lives.
“But as the poet wrote, the storm passed through us and around us, it has gone, but we remain. Surviving challenges and marching on towards progress and prosperity is the story of Lagos state.
“Amid a global pandemic, despite the protests and upheavals, and all the other varied challenges, Lagos remains the centre of innovation, the preferred destination for investment and home to more Nigerians than anywhere else in the country.”
He said despite the upheavals, Governor, Sanwo-Olu “picked up the pieces and is gradually taking the state out of the ruins of those dark moments. The Governor, his cabinet members and other arms of the state government are not alone in this rebuilding process. You have the unwavering support of members of the National Assembly from this state.”
The Speaker added that Lagos state is a trust placed in the hands all of Lagosians who serve in government, saying they must show that they are worthy of the responsibility to honour and preserve that trust.
“This gathering is an opportunity for an honest appraisal of where we are and what we need to do to recover what is lost.
“I urge us all to make the most of it.
We need unity across the arms of government. This unity does not mean subservience and is not a justification for failure to hold each other to the highest standards.
“The way the Lagos state government has come together to seek solutions to problems, confront and overcome challenges jointly is a testimony to what can be achieved when we are together. Nation-building is a joint task, as is the pursuit of excellence.
“We must do everything within our collective power to defend this state from those who will seek to turn our differences against us and cause our strength of unity and tolerance to become our weakness.
“It is pleasing to inform you that as your elected representatives in the National Assembly, we have exercised our privileges in attracting more federal presence to our various constituencies and senatorial districts.
“From my own constituency in Surulere to Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and many other parts, you will see us complementing the efforts of the Lagos State Government. None of these projects could have been achieved without the support of Ministries and Parastatals of the state government.
“We need each other to succeed in fulfilling our electoral promises to our people. The recent events have placed higher responsibilities on every one of us seated here. I am confident every one of us will work together for a greater Lagos.”
February 26, 2021
End SARS Protests: Updates on Buhari’s meeting with Lawan, Gbajabiamila
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met behind closed door with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila represented the leadership of NASS at the meeting which was presided over by the president.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Senate President said the meeting specifically deliberated on how best to address the ongoing End SARS demonstrations being witnessed in some parts of the country.
According to him, the national assembly has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the demands of the protesters are properly addressed and implemented to restore sanity in the society.
Lawan lauded the president for the way and manner he had been handling the issues raised by the aggrieved youths in the country.
“This is certainly a very trial moment, and as a national assembly, we believe that we have a very critical and crucial role to play in ensuring that the current situation of protest across the country is bought to an end.
“I want to thank Mr President for exhibiting very deep democratic credentials – the protests have gone on for over ten days, across many states of the country and I think the protesters have expressed their legitimate right, the government has listened.
“The essence of coming to meet Mr President is to review the situation and see the roles the two arms of government should play in ensuring that the five-point demands of the protesters are properly addressed.
“Where legislative intervention will be required, we are ready to move in and deal with such expeditiously, to ensure that we don’t waste any time so that we address the concerns of our youths.
“Where the executive role is expected we are sure that the executive will take expedient action, and we will be watching to ensure that such demands are properly met,’’ he said.
Lawan, therefore, appealed to the aggrieved youths to suspend their protests as the government had commenced implementation of their five-point demands, saying the government needed sufficient and conducive environment to implement the demands.
He said the appeal had become imperative to avert possible break down of law and order in the country.
He said: “It is also very critical at this point to mention this since the protest had taken place and the demands had been accepted.
“Time has come for the protest to stop because the government needs to have sufficient Time and conducive environment to implement the demands of the protesters we also need to have our economy to continue to grow.
“When we try to stop everybody from engaging in their local businesses, closing roads to markets and other economic places we disrupt the economy of the country, and that is not the best way to go.
“If the issues had not been accepted, then there would have been genuine reasons to continue with the demonstrations and protests. But since the issues had been accepted, we should give the government time to implement the issue.
“Therefore, I’m taking this opportunity to appeal to our youths who are protesting that the protests have already yielded the desire results.
According to him, other Nigerians have the legitimate right to go on their lawful businesses without hindrance.
Also commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Gbajabiamila reiterated the readiness of the NASS to partner with other arms of government particularly the executive, in meeting the genuine demands Nigerians.
He, however, condemned the attack on Gov. Gboyega Oyetola during the End SARS protest in Osogbo on Saturday.
October 18, 2020
A’Ibom community petitions Reps’ Speaker, ICPC over abandoned N3.5bn NDDC projects
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Distraught residents of Uboro Oro community in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have expressed anger over some unexecuted Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) road projects abandoned by the contractors.
The petition which was addressed to the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) was made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday, and signed by Chief Bassey Isong, Chairman of the project Committee of the Uboro Oro Progressives Union (UPU).
According to the petitions “the interventionist agency had awarded a N90million contract to a construction firm, Trail Blazer Engineering Ltd for a one kilometre of road spanning from the East-West road at Umume in the same Local Government Area”, lamenting that the contract was thereafter abandoned.
The petitioners pointed at the mega road project awarded by the NDDC to the tune of N2.6billion to another firm, HIGGENSMARA Nig Ltd with the initial mobilization cash of N300million, regretting that the 18 kilometre road had since been abandoned.
The road, they explained, “was to begin from Oyoku Assang in Okobo Local Government Area through Okiuso and Eweme in the same Council area with a spur of nine kilometers from Umume on East-West road, through Uboro-Oro, into Mbo Local Government Aarea”.
The contracts, the petitiomers recalled, was flagged-off with fanfare on Wednesday, 17 July, 2013, as the village head of the Uboro Oro community handed over the projects to the beneficiary firms of the NDDC.
“That day and the ceremony was the last anything happened on the N90million contracts, while an official of the NDDC told a representative of the community who went to Port Harcourt, Rivers state-to ascertain the petition of the N2.6billion job was told that the mother of the Managing Director (MD) of HIGGENSMARA Nig Ltd had health challenge and he had to use the N300million mobilization fee to her abroad for treatment”.
They noted that the affected communities were forced to move with the petitions after discovering that the contractors in collusion with the NDDC officials had taken photographs of another completed projects and presented same “as evidence that the jobs had been completed”.
They, therefore, urged the Reps’ Speaker and the ICPC to investigate the matter with a view to compelling the contractors to return to sites, especially now that the NDDC books are being subjected to forensic analysis over years of frauds and contracts scam.
September 1, 2020