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Gbajabiamila celebrates with Nigerian Muslims on Islamic New Year Hijrah 1443
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated the Nigerian Muslims for marking the New Islamic Year 1443 AH.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said the New Islamic Year, which begins on the first day of Muharram, is significant in the life of every Muslim.
He said it is important that the Muslim Ummah rededicate and recommit themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) during the New Islamic Year 1443 with a view to going closer to their Creator.
The Speaker urged the Nigerian Muslims to remain steadfast and continue to be their brothers’ keepers at all times.
He called on them to imbibe the virtues of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (SAW), whom he said is the best example to all Muslims the world over.
Gbajabiamila prayed for a fruitful year full of Allah’s blessings and protection for all Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliations.
August 10, 2021
Gbajabiamila seeks stronger diplomatic ties with Canada
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for stronger diplomatic relationships between Nigeria and Canada.
Gbajabiamila, who expressed appreciation for the existing relationships between the two countries which led to a significant rise in trade, education and technology over the years, however, emphasized the need for Canada to explore areas of security, cybersecurity, biosafety, energy as well as parliamentary diplomacy to the benefit of both countries.
Speaking while hosting the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Simard, in his office on Friday, Gbajabiamila said, “This is important because Nigeria and Canada go back a long way in terms of symbiotic and beneficial relationships.
“It is important that we sustain and continue these engagements to the benefit of our countries. As we know, the world is a global village now, and everybody feeds off everybody and we are all interdependent one way or the other,” he said.
According to the Speaker, the National Assembly prioritizes certain issues, not only for the development of the country but also in conformity with global demands.
He said the issue of security, gender parity, violence against persons, rape, in addition to the economy are well articulated in the 9th House Legislative Agenda to help drive the attainment of the set goals of the Green Chamber.
Noting that the House has taken bold steps to address the gender issue through legislative means, including the ongoing constitutional review exercise, the Speaker said: “Gender parity is an area that this 9th National Assembly, I think more than any past Assembly, focuses seriously on. We are not just talking, we are walking the talk”.
The Speaker, who noted that Nigeria is facing serious security challenges like other countries, said the assistance of Canada towards addressing it would be of benefit to both countries.
Earlier, the Canadian High Commissioner, Simard, informed the Speaker that the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries had resulted in more than $1 billion trade exchange between the two nations last year, while about $150 million per year in form of assistance from Canada to Nigeria to several sectors has been given.
To underscore the importance of the relationships between the two countries, the Canadian Prime Minister and Governor-General visited Nigeria in 2018, while a diplomatic delegation is expected in Nigeria very soon, he added.
Simard also revealed that Canada is in the process of expanding its diplomatic presence in Nigeria for more robust engagement, while he inquired about how Nigeria is dealing with issues of women empowerment and inclusion as well as human rights situation and what steps the House was taking towards the issues.
The diplomat, however, congratulated the country on the adoption of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and its domestication by several states.
While hoping that a bilateral bi-national commission between the two would soon be established, he also expressed the readiness of Canada to offer assistance in the area of security, biosafety and cybersecurity.
Present at the meeting were the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson; the Chairman Committee of Legislative Agenda Monitoring and Implementation, Rep. Henry Nwawuba; the Chairman, Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Rep. Wunmi Onanuga, and the Chairman, Committee on Maritime Safety and Education, Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu.
June 4, 2021
Gbajabiamila seeks joint efforts by Govt, Nigerians to overcome insecurity
…says previous, current approaches didn’t yield desired results
…Buhari lauds House’s initiative on security summit
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for joint efforts by government and all Nigerians to overcome the rising insecurity in the country.
He said to achieve this, ethno-religious differences and other factors that often divide Nigerians must be put aside for the urgency of safeguarding the nation.
Gbajabiamila was speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a ‘Special Summit on National Security’ organised by the House of Representatives.
The summit, organized as part of the Green Chamber’s response to the country’s security challenges, was to provide a platform for discussions by security stakeholders and other Nigerians in order to make far-reaching recommendations to the Executive arm of government.
Gbajabiamila noted that the country was under attack by insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, which called for a united and coordinated security approach to contain.
He said at a time when insecurity threatened the authority of the state and foundations of Nigeria’s nationhood, and when the activities of insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals “impede our efforts at progress and prosperity, we must confront the realisation that our previous and current approaches to addressing the challenges of insecurity have not yielded the desired results.”
He stated, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are a nation under attack. Our victory in this present battle depends greatly on our ability to set aside our differences and mobilise in one accord against an impending catastrophe that threatens all of us regardless of language, religion, politics, or status.
“It may well be that it is in the crucible of this battle for survival that we become a nation fully formed. Therefore, we must rise to the moment with passion and perspective.
“We hope for peace and desire its benefits. Yet, neither fervent hope nor heartfelt desire will suffice because the ends of peace require action.”
The speaker added that it would be difficult for the country to attain the peace it desired for development to take place if the present security situation remained unresolved.
“Let us, in this defining moment, work together to pursue the things that make for peace. Let us dedicate ourselves to ending violence, and disorder in our land, and to improving the quality of life for all our nation’s people.
“Let us work together to uphold the honour and glory of Nigeria, and free our nation to be a place of peace and justice forevermore”, Gbajabiamila said.
He explained that the security summit was organized as part of the legislative responsibility of making laws for the good governance of the country.
The speaker noted that achieving this also required citizens’ engagement and participation to get things done the right way for maximum results.
“We have convened this Special Summit on National Security to jointly, as citizens and public servants, find solutions to the problem of insecurity in our country.
“We are here because we know that our national ambitions will not be attained without lasting peace and security. We are here to have honest conversations about where we are, how we got here, and the hard choices we must make to guarantee a secure future for all our nation’s children”, Gbajabiamila added.
The speaker, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the summit, disclosed that the President had assured him that the recommendations of the summit would be given due attention and implementation.
Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustafa, commended the initiative of Mr Speaker and the House in organising the summit, describing it as timely.
The President aligned with the position of Gbajabiamila on how to tackle insecurity, admitting that it remained the “responsibility of all Nigerians in and out of government” to address the challenges.
The President also urged participants to set aside ethnic, political, religious, and other considerations in the national interest to speak frankly on the security challenges and the solutions.
Buhari called on the Legislature to use the opportunity provided by the summit to pass more laws to enhance the operations of national security agencies.
The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, in his goodwill message, urged both the Legislative and Executive arms of government to work more closely together by ensuring that recommendations from sessions such as the summit were implemented.
Lawan, who said the Armed Forces needed improved funding, told the session that the National Assembly was ready at all times to partner security agencies in addressing their operational challenges.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Obi of Obinugwu, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr) Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, among others, also delivered goodwill messages.
May 26, 2021
SERAP Writes Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Seeks Probe Of Missing N4.1bn NASS Funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to the Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to probe a missing 4.1 billion naira budgeted for the National Assembly.
The agency asked both government officials to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N4.1 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in the 2016 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
SERAP said: “These allegations are not part of the disclosure by the Auditor-General in other audited reports that N4.4 billion of National Assembly money is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen.”
In the letter dated 15 May 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “As part of its legislative and oversight functions, the National Assembly has a key role to play in the fight against corruption in the country. But little can be achieved by the legislative body in the anti-corruption fight if the leadership and members do not first confront the spectre of alleged corruption and mismanagement within their ranks.”
SERAP is also urging Dr. Lawan and Mr. Gbajabiamila: “to identify the lawmakers and staff members suspected to be involved, and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to face prosecution, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and to ensure full recovery of any missing public funds.”
The letter, read in part: “Ensuring the effective investigation of these fresh allegations, and full recovery of any missing public funds would strengthen the country’s accountability framework, and show that the National Assembly can discharge its constitutional responsibility of amplifying the voices of Nigerians. It will also show that the body is acting in the best interest of the people.”
“SERAP is concerned that allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions. Nigerians bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. The National Assembly, therefore, has a responsibility to curb it.”
“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2016, N4,144,706,602.68 of National Assembly money is missing, diverted or stolen. The National Assembly paid some contractors N417,312,538.79 without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount in question from the contractors.’”
“The National Assembly reportedly spent N625,000,000.00 through its Constitution Review Committee between March and June 2016 but without any document. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount from the Committee and furnish evidence of recovery for verification.’”
“The National Assembly also reportedly spent N66,713,355.08 as ‘personnel cost’ but ‘the payees in the Cashbook did not correspond with those in the Bank Statement’. The Auditor-General wants ‘the irregular expenditure recovered from the officer who approved the payments.’”
“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N116,162,522.60 to some contractors between April and June 2016 without any document. The National Assembly deducted N56,985,568.55 from various contract payments in respect of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax but without any evidence of remittance.”
“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N126,264,320.00 as cash advances to 11 staff members between March and December 2016 to procure goods and services but failed to remit the money.”
“The Senate reportedly paid N747,286,680.00 as personal advances to staff members between February and December 2016 for various procurements and services but failed to retire the money. The Senate also deducted N118,625,057.48 as Withholding and Value Added Taxes but failed to show any evidence of remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”
“The Senate also spent N109,007,179.73 from the Capital Expenditure vote but without any document.”
“The House of Representatives reportedly deducted N821,564,296.48 from staff salaries but failed to remit the money to tax authorities. The House also paid N254,059,513.70 as advances to staff members to procure goods and services between January and December 2016 but failed to retire the money.”
“The National Institute for Legislative Studies reportedly spent N375,867,000.00 to buy 11 motor vehicles in April 2016. But the Institute also paid the same contractor N36,610,000.00 in September 2016 under the same contract without approval.”
“The Institute also reportedly paid N10,927,768.80 to 7 members of staff who were redeployed from the National Assembly to provide specialized services but without details about the staff paid, and without any justification.”
“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly approved N109,995,400.00 to train some officers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but spent N127,629,600.00 as Estacode Allowances to participants, and fees for two consultants engaged for the training. The Commission also spent N9,975,000.00 as course fees for 34 officers but it also paid a consultant N4,987,500.00 for the same course fees.”
“The Legislative Aides Section earned N12,274,587.77 as interests on Bank accounts in a commercial bank between January and December 2016 but failed to remit the money to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”
“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”
“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”
“The National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.”
“SERAP notes that the Auditor-General in 2015, 2017, and 2018 reports documented that N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen.”
“Addressing the allegations would improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities, and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity.”
The letter was copied to Mr. Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic, and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); and chairmen of the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.
May 16, 2021
Education remains our priority, says Gbajabiamila
. Speaker gets praises from LASU for attracting projects to varsity
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that education remains one of the major priorities of the 9th House of Representatives.
As such, Gbajabiamila said the House would do everything within its power to support educational institutions to have conducive learning environments.
This is even as the Speaker got praises from the management of the Lagos State University (LASU) for attracting various projects to the institution to aid learning.
Receiving the LASU management, led by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oyedamola Oke, during a thank-you visit in his office in Abuja on Monday, Gbajabiamila said he was ready to attract more projects to the institution and others.
Welcoming the delegation, the Speaker said: “we’re excited to receive guests like you, because it’s part of nation building. Education is very important to us. It’s on the front burner of our agenda.
“So, whatever we need to do to improve education, we have to do it.”
Gbajabiamila expressed delight that the WiFi project he attracted to LASU had been of immense help to the students’ learning.
“I’m glad to hear that the Hotspot is working. In this 21st Century, we shouldn’t be left behind in Nigeria. The ICT facilities have to be used to aid learning.
“On the auditorium, we’ll ensure that we do it from the beginning to the end. You can count on me, you can count on the House of Representatives.”
Gbajabiamila was dismayed that some products of Nigerian universities did not worth their names due to poor learning, saying, however, that the House was ready to reverse the trend.
“We’re here for you. That’s why we’re elected. Whatever we can do, please let us know. I cannot sit here and say I know all the problems of universities.
“You have to tell us what your problems are. We’ll be more than happy. Whatever it’s within our power to do, we’ll do it. Thank you very much for coming.”
Earlier, the LASU acting VC, Prof. Oke, said the visit was to thank the Speaker for the various projects he attracted to the university.
“You promised us the digitalization, and it’s almost done. We want to thank you for the Hotspot points. You also promised us an auditorium, we thank you for that.
“We want to thank you for your interest in education. We are very grateful for what you’ve done to us and for your interest in our institution.
“I’ll like to report that the digitalization project is on course, and it’s almost done. On the auditorium, the people you’ve sent have come and met us. We’ve identified a site for that, and it will soon commence.”
On his part, the former VC of the institution, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, who had led a delegation to the Speaker in 2019 to make request for the projects, said the Speaker’s interventions had started paying off as LASU was now Number 2 in the Nigerian universities’ ranking.
“When we came here in 2019, it was in trepidation. We knew we had challenges. We knew we wanted to compete internationally. But we couldn’t have done that.
“Today, you’ve put smiles on our faces. We are no Number 2 in Nigeria after University of Ibadan by the current ranking. Just like the VC said, we won’t disappoint you. We will keep faith to the ideals of the founding fathers of the institution.
“If we have all in place, nothing says that your university won’t become Number 1. The support you gave us in the area of Wi-Fi, that has helped a lot. The students are always around the Hotspot areas to use the internet for learning. Your name will remain indelible in the history of our university.”
Recall that earlier this year, Gbajabiamila facilitated the installation of free Wi-Fi in six public tertiary institutions in Lagos State for ease of learning.
The gesture on free Wi-Fi cut across both Federal Government-owned and Lagos State Government-owned tertiary institutions in the state. Tagged ‘Free Campus WiFi,’ the exercise was part of Gbajabiamila’s way of giving back to society, with a view to building a stronger education sector.
The six public tertiary institutions that have so far benefitted from the Speaker’s initiative on the free Wi-Fi are University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka Campus; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu Campus; Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin; Michael Otedola College of Education (MOCOPED), Epe, and the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
At LASU, students now access the free WiFi at the Babatunde Fashola Senate Building, the Faculty of Sciences, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Sciences, LASU FM, the School of Communications and the ICT Center as well as some nearby locations.
April 26, 2021
We must improve on dignity, well-being of our police force -Gbajabiamila
…calls for needs assessment, better funding
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that Nigeria urgently needs to work on the dignity and well-being of its police force, a major factor that will make its personnel to succeed in the core mandate of preventing and fighting crime.
Gbajabiamila noted that a policeman, being the face of the law, his appearance in the community must first command respect for him to effectively enforce the law.
Gbajabiamila, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba, paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly, stated that the image of the policeman looking unkempt on the streets sent the wrong signals to the citizens about his ability to enforce the law.
He told the IGP that unlike the case in some countries, the Nigerian policeman did not have adequate equipment to work and was not well-catered for.
He said, “We need to know that police work has a lot to do with psychology. Why are policemen looking tattered on the streets? They wear dirty, torn uniforms and you see them in slippers.
“So, people don’t even respect them or feel intimidated by their presence when they need to enforce the law. In other countries, the sight of a policeman and the gadgets he carries alone, prevent crime from happening. There is immediate recognition from the appearance of a policeman.”
The speaker assured the IG that the House was prepared to collaborate with the force to identify its areas of need and address them through improved funding, recruitment and training.
He asked the IG to do a “needs assessment” and submit a comprehensive report to the House through its Committee on Police Affairs for necessary action.
The speaker added that the 9th House was committed to building a police force that would “stand shoulder-to-shoulder” with other police structures elsewhere in the world.
Gbajabiamila spoke further, “We will welcome collaboration. Don’t worry that if you do a needs assessment, that we are not going to look into it. Do the needs assessment, a budget, and we look for the funds. If we must do it, we must do it.”
Gbajabiamila promised that the requests from the needs assessment report could either be accommodated in the 2021 supplementary budget being expected by the National Assembly or a separate window could be created to capture the funding challenges of the police.
He added that the House was concerned about the rising insecurity in the country and had responded to it by setting up a special committee to interface with the executive arm with a view to addressing the situation.
Gbajabiamila told the IG that the committee would start sitting within the next few days.
However, the speaker commended the police for being able to perform their duties so far, in spite of “the difficult circumstances” that they have had to operate in all these years.
Speaking earlier, the IG said his visit was to thank Gbajabiamila and the House for the support the police had received from the 9th Assembly.
He said he was particularly appreciative of the “timely passage” of the 2020 Police Act, to modernise police operations in the country.
He appealed for the speedy passage of other bills on police matters such as the Police Service Commission (amendment) Bill.
Baba made a passionate appeal to the speaker on police funding, saying that the force had become a miracle worker, having to function with clearly inadequate funds.
“The police will work more with better support from the legislature…
“In the area of funding, we appeal that you support us more because we are underfunded. We are now miracle players, compared to what we have.
“In the area of funds for operations, this is highly inadequate, looking at the many interventions that we must do from time-to-time”, the IG stated.
April 21, 2021
Nigeria’s foreign policy must engage other nations – Gbajabiamila
…says efforts should be geared toward addressing new challenges
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that Nigeria’s foreign policy in a fast-changing world should seek to engage other nations in finding solutions to new challenges and threats so that collectively, they can address them.
He specifically cited climate change, easy flow of capital/funding of terrorism and the rapid growth of technology as some of the new challenges altering the way the world functioned in the past.
Gbajabiamila, who was speaking in Abuja on Monday at the opening of a three-day Conference on the Review of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, noted that the country should define the terms of its foreign policy by engaging the rest of the world to address the different manifestations of the challenges.
The conference was organised by the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“To do this, we must establish the values that underpin and motivate our foreign policy as this is necessary to determine everything else, including how we protect our country from the downside of globalisation while ensuring our people benefit from the opportunities that abound”, the Speaker told the session.
For instance, Gbajabiamila said Nigeria today faced threats of insecurity and huge unemployment, which it must find solutions to internally and tailor its foreign policy to address both.
Gbajabiamila explained further, “Today in Nigeria, we face two existential threats of insecurity and unemployment that have caused a deep loss of faith amongst our people.
“All our governing efforts must be geared towards finding solutions to these problems. Whereas the rest of the government looks inwards, it is the mandate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look outward. It is not an easy task.”
Pledging the support of the 9th House under his leadership and the entire National Assembly to achieve this, the Speaker recalled how the resort to ‘parliamentary diplomacy’ in recent times by the Legislature helped to douse tensions between Nigeria and some African countries.
Gbajabiamila informed the session how the intervention of the House helped in checking the xenophobic attacks in South Africa from becoming a full-blown crisis between Nigeria and its Southern African sister.
He also stated that the House intervened in the trade dispute between the authorities in Ghana and Nigerian traders in Accra in 2020, using parliamentary diplomacy to engage the Ghanaian Parliament to address the dispute.
“I assure you that the House of Representatives stands ready to be an effective partner in advancing our nation’s foreign policy objectives”, the speaker added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House committee, Rep. Yusuf Yakub, observed that the world has become “highly-dynamic”, requiring a comprehensive foreign policy response from Nigeria beyond the age-long position of Africa being the centerpiece, a non-aligned nation and practicing democracy.
He said, “It is about time we had a fully and comprehensively articulated document that addresses what we call the foreign policy of Nigeria.
“Though foreign policy in its true nature is dynamic, such a document must encompass as well as engender ideals that will make Nigeria maximize the gains of its relationship with every other part of the outside world, be it Asia, Africa, Europe or the Americas.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, in a remark, thanked the speaker and the House for the initiative, which he said tallied with the thinking in the ministry.
“This is an excellent and timely initiative by the House of Representatives to review the foreign policy of this country. We thank Mr Speaker and we look forward to the outcome of this conference”, Onyeama added.
April 19, 2021
TATC Honours Gbajabiamila, Tambuwa, Wike, Sule, Ugwuanyi, others with Honorific Chieftaincy Tittles in Benue State
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
The Tiv Area Traditional Council, TATC, the highest decision making body of the Tiv Nation on Thursday conferred on Eminent Nigerians including, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors among others with Honorific Chieftaincy Tittles.
The Chairman, Benue Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, Tor Tiv the 5th performed the ceremony during the official commissioning of the ultra modern palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko, Benue State.
Prof. Ayatse pointed out that the honour was as a result of the immense contributions of the honourees to the growth of the Tiv Nation.
The Paramount Ruler who congratulated the Chieftaincy Tittle Holders, described them as the Ambassadors of the Tiv Nation. He maintained that the honour calls for more service.
Prof. Ayatse lauded Benue State Government for uplifting the palaces of the Traditional Rulers in Benue, the development he said would enable them discharge their duties more efficiently.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, the Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Alh. Aminu Tambuwa appreciated the Tiv Area Traditional Council for the honour.
The Governor pledged on behalf of the honourees that they would be good Ambassadors as well as build bridges for the growth of the Tiv Nation.
Those who received the titles include; Governors, Aminu Tambuwa of Sokoto as the Friend of the Tiv Nation, Nyisom Wike of Rivers as the Eagle of the Tiv Nation, Efianyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu as the Good Neighbor of the Tiv Nation and Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa as Peace Builder respectively.
Others are; Speaker, House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila as Helper of the Tiv Nation, Former Provost, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Prof. Shima Gyoh as Healing Bam of the Tiv Nation and Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, as Great Companion of the Tiv Nation.
April 9, 2021
Easter: Let’s pray for Nigeria, unite for our progress, Gbajabiamila urges
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to use this period of Easter and pray for the country.
Gbajabiamila said despite the challenges facing the country, there will be light at the end of the tunnel, hence the need for prayers now and always.
The Speaker called for unity of purpose among Nigerians, saying there is more that unites us as a people than that which divides us.
He said Nigeria is a great country with good people who have great potential, adding that if well harnessed, the nation and the citizens would be better for it.
He specifically called on Christians to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ, whom he described as a role model to the world.
Gbajabiamila said the life and time of Jesus Christ are a perfect example of selflessness, care, affection, compassion and service to humanity, calling on Nigerians to emulate same.
“At this time of Easter, we have to unite as a people. We have to pray for our country. We should also be our brothers’ keepers as always.
“I am certain that together as a people, we will achieve more. Our unity is ultimately our strength.
“I call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and resolute as we match forward as a nation bound by our diversity.
“Let’s pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for us to overcome our challenges, especially the insecurity in our land. Let’s show love to one another, irrespective of our ethnicity, tribe, religion or creed,” the Speaker said.
April 3, 2021
Gbajabiamila, Ghana’s new speaker seek improved parliamentary relations
…African speakers to meet in Nigeria this year
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the new Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Mr. Albert Bagbin, have agreed to strengthen parliamentary relations in a bid to find lasting solutions to challenges such as the trade dispute involving some Nigerian traders in Ghana.
The two speakers reached out to each other during a zoom meeting they held on Friday.
Gbajabiamila told his counterpart that the two countries were like siblings and should continue to explore the avenue of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing shared challenges, adding that there was much both could learn from one another.
The Nigerian Speaker also introduced the project he initiated with five other African Speakers, namely the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments (CoSAP), saying that last year they worked together to advocate debt relief.
He further stated that this year, African Speakers and Heads of Parliaments were expected to gather in Abuja to explore how they could work better together to tackle collective challenges.
While congratulating the Ghanaian Speaker for his success at the recently contested polls, Gbajabiamila said while he worked very closely with the predecessor, he looked forward to doing the same with Bagbin in continuation of the age-old tradition of solidarity between both nations.
The Nigerian Speaker updated his Ghanaian counterpart on his visit to Ghana late last year in an effort to douse tensions and extract commitments from the Ghanaian government over the trade dispute.
He said he would want the discussions on the matter to continue under the new Ghanaian Speaker.
“I look forward to working with you. There are a lot of issues for both our countries, that, I think through Parliamentary Diplomacy and backchannel discussions, we can resolve for the people of both countries.
“I’m sure you are aware of a couple of them, including the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria in terms of our traders and residents over there and yours over here too. I think the onus rests upon both of us to try and resolve whatever issues there are. We started on this trajectory last year with the former speaker and we made very significant inroads and headway.
“I visited Ghana, I met with some of your ministers, including Mr. President and very far-reaching decisions were made and we are expecting outcomes of a report from your Minister of Trade. We were supposed to set up a friendship group between the two parliaments. That group has been set up by the Nigerian Parliament and if the list is not with you yet, I’m sure in the next few days, you will get it.
“Your President was absolutely gracious, he was absolutely wonderful. He met with us, he has a rich pedigree with Nigeria as you all know, so it worked out well. We just need to cement it, and I’m sure that between you and I, we will be able to take this a notch further.
“I want to use this opportunity to invite you to Nigeria as well, we will be able to discuss a lot of things and of course there is the issue of CoSAP, which I’m sure in your handover notes you are aware we set up with some African countries. The issue at hand last year was debt relief for African countries, that has strangulated many countries’ economies based on the debt portfolio they had”, he stated.
Gbajabiamila said COSAP would have its inaugural meeting this year in Nigeria where “hopefully we will be able to concretise on that issue and actually address other issues going forward for this year.”
“There are two issues that are critical in this moment like the relationship between Ghana and the Nigerian traders and the issue of CoSAP, and I’m sure there will be many more issues as we go along”, he said.
He also used the opportunity to invite Bagbin to visit Nigeria to deepen the parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
On his part, Bagbin said he welcomed the idea of having a better relationship with the Nigerian Parliament and that he was ready to reciprocate the Nigerian Speaker’s visit so that they would discuss issues.
He also applauded Gbajabiamila for coming up with the idea of CoSAP, which he described as a noble project.
“On the issue of CoSAP, yes, we already have somebody as the focal person and it’s not only the handover notes, I have also been given a brief on CoSAP, and I want to applaud your efforts for the initiative, it’s a very good initiative and it’s going to propel parliamentary diplomacy to a higher level.” So, definitely, you have my support in that direction”.
“I am sure other African countries are looking up to Ghana and Nigeria to show the way, and I’m sure that with your immense experience and what I have gone through over 19 good years in parliamentary diplomacy, I am sure that there will be nothing that we will not be able to surmount.”
The two Speakers agreed it was important to meet sooner rather than later and concluded with an agreement to meet in Abuja before the first half of this year.
April 3, 2021