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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • Why Nigerian military rejected me during recruitment – Femi Gbajabiamila

    Why Nigerian military rejected me during recruitment – Femi Gbajabiamila

    Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has opened up on his failed attempt to join the Nigerian Army, which led him into the legal profession.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, while addressing soldiers, recalled that his dream was to serve in the military, but he did not meet the requirements.

    The former lawmaker disclosed that to join the army, one’s height, weight, and physical strength were major criteria; however, he fell short of the standard expected for recruitment.

    Gbajabiamila said that each time he tried, he compared himself with other applicants and could already tell he was not fit for selection. He said the setback forced him to change direction and eventually pursue a career in law.

    He said, “Honestly, my height, my weight, my strength, everything disqualified me.

    “Every time I attempted, I looked at the person to my right who was also attempting and the person to my right who also came for the interview; nobody needed to tell me to go home.

    “I admire you guys so much, and it’s one of the things I aspire to, so 

  • ADC opposition coalition welcomed – Gbajabiamila

    ADC opposition coalition welcomed – Gbajabiamila

    Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has welcomed the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by opposition leaders.

    He described the development as a healthy sign for democracy and a move that could promote broader political engagement across Nigeria’s multi-party system.

    Gbajabiamila stated this on Saturday during the Local Government Area Councilorship and Chairmanship election in Surulere, Lagos State.

    He spoke shortly after casting his vote at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial Primary School, one of the designated polling units in the local government.

    According to him, a functioning democracy must accommodate opposition voices to prevent the risk of reverting to a one-party system.

    He emphasised that the strength of any democracy lies in vibrant and credible opposition that can hold the ruling party accountable.

    “There has to be some level of opposition in a democracy,” Gbajabiamila told reporters while fielding questions after voting.

    He noted that without checks and balance, democracy could easily slip into authoritarianism, which would undermine public trust in governance.

    Gbajabiamila, however, expressed scepticism about the future and effectiveness of the coalition formed around the ADC.

    “However, for whatever the coalition is worth, I am not sure where it will go — that is, if it will go anywhere,” he said.

    In spite of his doubts, he reiterated that the presence of alternative voices in the political space was important for national progress and political maturity.

    The former Speaker of the House of Representatives also commended the peaceful conduct of the local government elections in Surulere.

    He encouraged Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process, noting that grassroots elections were key to good governance at the local level.

    Gbajabiamila urged all political actors to place national interest above personal ambition and promote unity, regardless of party affiliations.

    Local government autonomy still in progress – Gbajabiamila

    In addition, Gbajabiamila said local government autonomy is still being perfected for full implementation.

    Gbajabiamila stated this on Saturday after casting his vote during the Lagos State council elections held on Saturday.

    The chief of staff voted at his ward, Elizabeth Fowler Memorial Primary School, Surulere, Lagos.

    He said the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy was widely welcomed across Nigeria and represented a major step forward for grassroots governance.

    “The challenge lies in execution and implementation. I believe that, in time, we will achieve full local government autonomy,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila stressed that effective grassroots governance was impossible without full autonomy at the local government level.

    “That’s what we’re working towards. The Supreme Court’s pronouncement is law. In time, autonomy will be fully realised,” he added.

    He, however, expressed concern about low voter turnout across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in Lagos.

    “There is generally low turnout so far, perhaps because many do not understand the importance of local government elections.

    “In some countries, this level of election is even more important than others. We must sensitise and educate our people more,” he urged.

    He commended the peaceful nature of the election, noting there were no incidents or disruptions during voting across the areas visited.

    “The election has been peaceful, free, fair and calm — and that’s what we all desire in any democratic process,” he stated.

    Gbajabiamila praised Surulere LGA Chairman, Mr Sulaiman Bamidele, for his developmental efforts and encouraged him to build on the progress made.

    “I hope he wins. He must double his efforts and work even harder for the people,” he advised.

    He noted that local government remains the closest tier of governance to the people and deserves capable leadership.

    “He has done well within his limited resources. I believe he will perform even better going forward,” he said.

  • Money laundering: FG intensifies efforts to beat FATF deadline

    Money laundering: FG intensifies efforts to beat FATF deadline

    The Presidency will take concrete steps to remove Nigeria from the grey list of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), before the May 2025 deadline. Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, gave the assurance during a fact-finding visit to the office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Gbajabiamila pledged that the Federal Government would address the deficiencies that led to Nigeria’s listing. He made the pledge in response to a request by Hafsat Bakari, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, who sought high-level intervention to meet the implementation deadline of the FATF action plan.

    Recall Nigeria was placed on the FATF Grey List on February 24, 2023. This was due to rising capital inflows and shortcomings in combating money laundering, terrorism and arms financing. The FATF is an independent intergovernmental organisation that promotes policies to protect the global financial system. It evaluates jurisdictions based on its Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (AML/CFT/P) standards.

    Gbajabiamila acknowledged the progress made by NFIU by implementing 30 per cent of the action plan to address identified deficiencies. He stressed the need for accelerated efforts to complete the remaining tasks.

    “I am a firm believer that no matter how much you achieve, one thing can destroy everything you have achieved. One rotten egg can spoil the whole basket. We have nine months left to exit the Grey List, and even being on that list is bad enough – that is not what we want for our country.

    “Therefore, we will do everything we need to do because May 2025 is around the corner. You must furnish us with the information and the boxes that we need to tick. We do not want a fire brigade approach because May is around the corner; this is a high priority,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila also assured the management of NFIU of continued collaboration with his office to enable it protect Nigeria’s financial system from terrorism financing, money laundering, arms proliferation and other violent crimes. The NFIU operates under the supervision of State House.

    “I know there’s much to be done and we are here to collaborate with you to ensure that ultimately we can get to where we are supposed to be,” he said.

    The Chief of Staff also commended the agency for implementing the recent Supreme Court interpretation on local government autonomy.

    Highlighting NFIU’s achievements, Bakari noted that the agency had fostered inter-agency cooperation, connecting over 45 agencies to its intelligence sharing platform. She said 18 state internal revenue services had been connected to boost domestic revenue mobilisation in sub-national governments.

    “One of the key projects we have commenced is the implementation of a monetary network framework following the recent Supreme Court judgment on the fiscal autonomy of local governments. This would enable the government to ensure that resources made available have an impact on the citizens,” Bakari stated.

    The NFIU boss pointed out that NFIU had deployed significant human and financial resources to address identified deficiencies.

    “Capacity building is essential to stay ahead of evolving methods and typologies of financial crime,” she said.

    Gbajabiamila also visited Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the National Council on Climate Change (NATCCC) as part of his ongoing engagements with agencies under the supervision of State House.

  • Akpabio greets Gbajabiamila’s mother, Lateefat at 94

    Akpabio greets Gbajabiamila’s mother, Lateefat at 94

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has congratulated a renowned Nigerian, Alhaja Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila, as she attains the age of 94 on March 2, 2024.

    Alhaja Lateefat Olufunke is the mother of Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    The Senate President in a birthday message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh hailed Mama Lateefat Olufunke as “A true and God-fearing mother and philanthropist, whose love for children and the less privileged is infectious and unparalleled”

    Akpabio said “It is gratifying to note that Mama Olufunke Lateefat Gbajabiamila is not only a philanthropist but a quintessential woman of great virtues, a leader and pillar of politics, who has diligently impacted others as exemplified in her son, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila”

    He said “On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, and the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I joyously celebrate with our loving great-grandmother as she reaches the age of 94.

    “I congratulate the family of Gbajabiamila for this rare privilege God has given them to see their mother clock the ripe age of 94. It is indeed worth celebrating.

    “I pray that the Almighty God will bless Mama with good health and acquaint her with the compass of His course because we all need her advice and prayers, especially at this time in the history of our nation”.

  • Campaign of calumny: Northern Youths support Gbajabiamila’s call for probe

    Campaign of calumny: Northern Youths support Gbajabiamila’s call for probe

    …says Tinubu’s Chief of Staff integrity can’t be compromised

    A group of northern elites working for the unity and progress of Nigeria, has thrown its weight behind the call by the Chief of Staff to the President, asking the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the continued smeared attacks on his person.

    Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila has come under intensed and growing attacks on the social media by some “elements” since his appointment as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    In a letter dated 9th January, 2024, Mr. Gbajabiamila asked the DSS to investigate and prosecute those behind the “false allegations and sustained campaign of calumny” against him.

    Rising from a two-day retreat in Kaduna yesterday, the Northern Unity Forum, led by the National President, Ambassador Usman Biu, said the Chief of Staff had done the noblest thing, by choosing to explore the civil and legal way of seeking protection, rather than devising self help mechanism.

    The group said the north was happy with how the Chief of Staff has conducted himself around the presidency so far, offering quality service to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to the forum, “the success of every administration depends on the productivity of the Chief of Staff who is the head of all supporting Staff and behind every government that is performing well, there is a man who keeps sleepless nights working round the clock to ensure the Head of the government does not fail”.

    The forum therefore gave a passmark on the activities of the Chief of Staff to the President, RT. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, saying he has so far conducted himself well in his given assignments, with utmost integrity.

    The northern group also believed the working relationship between Gbajabiamila and other appointees of President Tinubu, is cordial, giving the President a peaceful platform to operate.

    The Forum described the Chief of Staff as a man who sees every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe or religion, as one, hence, his peaceful and inclusive conduct with those around the President.

    “This, no doubt, has greatly provided the President with peaceful atmosphere to operate. Unlike in the past administration where the President would be busy trying to settle cold wars between his Chief of Staff and other top govenrment officials, thereby missing out on many actions of national importance”, the forum added.

    It said Gbajabiamila is a man known for high sense of integrity, owing to how he was able to stabilize the House of Representatives for four years, adding that, Nigerians are happy that he has not compromised his integrity, even in working with the President.

    “You see, this is a man that has spent over 20 years serving as a Legislator. He has served as Minority Whip, Minority Leader for eight good years, Majority Leader and eventually, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. If his integrity was in question, the people of Surulere Federal Constituency would have not voted him to the House, back to back; and his Colleagues would not have entrusted him with so much leadership of portfolios at the Green Chamber”, it added.

    The Forum also hailed President Tinubu for not giving in to the antics of those it described as “enemies within” and “external forces”, trying to distract the government that was already done selecting its gears and on the verge of delivering good governance to the people of Nigeria.

    As part of its communique, the Forum affirmed its support for the Tinubu led administration, while also congratulating the northern Governors who won their electoral cases at the Supreme Court recently.

    The Forum called on the Governors to convoke a peace and security summit with relevant stakeholders in attendance, to address the issues of insecurity and communal crisis across the north.

  • [VIDEO] Tinubu reiterates confidence in Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila

    [VIDEO] Tinubu reiterates confidence in Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila

    President Bola Tinubu has re-iterated confidence in his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was a former speaker of the House of Representatives.

    The President made this known during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, October 30, 2023, noting that perfection is of God and all campaigns of calumny and insinuation should stop.

    Recall that there have been reports alleging that Gbajabiamila had been trading off appointments in the government of Tinubu to the highest bidder.

    See Video below:

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  • Supreme Court verdict: Now is time for governance, distractions over – Gbajabiamila

    Supreme Court verdict: Now is time for governance, distractions over – Gbajabiamila

    Chief of Staff of President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila has said distractions are now over and that it is now time for President Tinubu to focus on governance.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gbajabiamila said this following the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, affirming Tinubu as the duly elected president of Nigeria.

    “Like the judge said, all litigations must come to an end. They addressed all the issues; about seven (7) of them. All the issues were unassailable as far as I am concerned.

    “For me now, this is the time for us all, every Nigerian, particularly the President to roll up his sleeves, and continue with governance. This has been a distraction.

    “The litigants exercised their rights to go to court but that has come to an end now. We now have to all come together as one country, one people, and move ahead, and take this country where it rightfully should be.

    “If you listened carefully to the judgement, the judgement is very sound by every objective and right thinking person, supported with facts, with cases and with statutes,” Gbajabiamila said.

  • Just In: FG temporarily removes VAT from diesel

    Just In: FG temporarily removes VAT from diesel

    The Federal Government has announced the removal of the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel for the next 6 months.

    This was disclosed by Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila as part of the waivers from the resolution reached between the Federal Government and leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the end of a four-hour meeting held at the State House on Sunday.

  • Why President didn’t attach portfolios to Ministerial nominees – CoS

    Why President didn’t attach portfolios to Ministerial nominees – CoS

    Femi Gbajabiamila the chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has given detailed information  behind the President’s decision not to attach specific portfolios to the list of ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate on Thursday.

    The CoS made this known while speaking to State House correspondents on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He said that while attaching portfolios would have been a welcomed approach, President Tinubu chose to maintain flexibility in assigning roles within the government.

    “For me, that would have been one way to go about it, it would have been a welcomed development. As good as that sounds, it straitjackets the President to pigeonhole one person in an office or the other,” Gbajabiamila explained.

    He further elaborated on the potential challenges associated with attaching specific portfolios to the nominees.

    Continuing, he  said President Tinubu wanted to retain the freedom to assess the nominees’ suitability for particular roles and, if necessary, adjust their assignments to ensure optimal functionality within the government.

    “What happens then if you change your mind? Do you then bring the person back for screening again, because the President is at liberty to change his mind,” he added.

    He emphasised that the President and his team were currently reviewing the nominees and their prospective portfolios while the screening process is underway.

     

    According to him, this approach allows them to carefully consider how each nominee’s skills, expertise, and background align with the various ministerial positions.

     

    He reassured that the President had meticulously vetted each nominee, ensuring they possess the necessary qualifications to contribute effectively to the country’s progress.

     

    “The first step that he has done is that these are people that can work wherever you put them, except in specialized fields like Attorney-General and what have you. But in the main, in most of the portfolios, he believes most of them can fit in anywhere,” Gbajabiamila stated.

     

    Gbajabiamila revealed that President Tinubu intended to restructure some ministries and may even establish new stand-alone ministries.

    He said this move adds to the complexity of attaching specific portfolios beforehand, as the reorganization process might

    necessitate reshuffling roles.

     

    While the National Assembly’s approval was still pending, expectations are that the nominees will hit the ground running even before their formal confirmation.

     

    Gbajabiamila revealed that some individuals have been actively contributing advice to the President, even in the anticipation of their confirmation, as there is no time to waste in the pursuit of the government’s goals.

     

    “I’m sure there will be those who will be working behind the scenes, giving him advice, you know, even now, before confirmation, in anticipation of confirmation because there’s no time to waste,” Gbajabiamila stated.

  • Tinubu reveals additional ministerial list coming soon

    Tinubu reveals additional ministerial list coming soon

    President Bola Tinubu on Thursday sent to the Senate a list of 28 ministerial nominees for consideration and confirmation with a hint on an additional list.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Tinubu to have stated the additional ministerial nominations will be sent in due course.

    The list of the ministerial nominees is contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio and read at plenary on Thursday.

    Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila personally delivered the letter conveying the ministerial nominees to Senate in plenary.

    Tinubu in the letter said: “in compliance with the provision of the Section 147, Sub Section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I am pleased to forward to the Senate for confirmation the underlisted 28 Ministerial nominees”.

    The ministerial nominees list contains Abubakar Momoh, Yususf Maitama Tukur, Ahmad Dangiwa, Hannatu Musawa, Uche Nnaji, Betta Edu, Dr. Diris Anite Uzoka and David Umahi.

    Others are Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Ekerikpe Ekpo, Nkiru Onyejiocha, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Stella Okotete, Uju Kenedy Ohaneye, Bello Muhammad Goronyo.

    The list also contains the names of Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Mohammad Idris, Olawale Edun, Waheed Adebayo Adelabu, Emman Suleman Ibrahim, Prof Ali Pate, Prof Joseph Usev, Abubakar Kyari, John Enoh and Sani Abubakar Danladi.

    “While hoping that the additional nominations will be sent in due course I hope that the aforementioned nominees will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the Senate.

    “Please, accept, Distinguished Senate President and Senators the assurance of my highest regard,” the letter reads.