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Femi Gbajabiamila, Blessing to Nigeria—Lagos ÁPC Leader

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An All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Lagos State, Mr Adedoyin Adeyinka, has described the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, as a blessing to the country, urging Nigerians to support him to become Speaker in June.

Mr Adeyinka, who spoke on Monday at the 2019 Alaka Children’s Day Celebration in Lagos, praised the member representing Surulere Constituency 1 for meeting the expectations of his constituents.

“Allow me Mr Chairman to state a few general positions. The Face of Alaka 2019 Children’s Day Celebration, Femi Gbajabiamila, is a man of integrity, honour, purpose and foresight. Femi Gbajabiamila is a pride to Nigeria and a living testimony to the unlimited capacity of the black man. Femi Gbajabiamila is Surulere’s gift to the world. He is a Nigerian leader, a national leader. Femi Gbajabiamila knows the basic things. He has the will and the drive. He has the basic understanding of what the people need.”

To Mr Adeyinka, the lawmaker, in his first, second, third and fourth term in the House of Representatives, carved an enviable reputation for himself as a firm, principled and visionary legislator.

“Femi Gbajabiamila contributed greatly to the socio-economic growth of the country. Specifically, the member representing Surulere Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives helped to put the country on the path to socio-economic and political re-discovery. He attracted jobs, political appointments and federal projects to Surulere,” the politician said at the event.

He commended Mr Gbajabiamila for his vision and selfless service to mankind, saying, “Femi Gbajabiamila demonstrated his philanthropic gesture by distributing no fewer than 501 computer tablets to secondary school students, 30 new buses, 25 tricycles and 160 motorcycles to his constituents. He sanitized and stabilized democracy in Nigeria.

“He contributed greatly to the death of the Third Term Debate. He brought governance closer to the people. He improved the quality of education in schools through ICT tools. He established various programmes to improve the lives of his primary constituents.”

He disclosed that Mr Gbajabiamila was named Femi Gbajabiamila the Face of 2019 Alaka Children’s Day celebration because of his outstanding legislative performance and the empowerment of the people.

“Hon Femi Gbajabiamila was chosen because of his achievements in the holistic development of Nigeria, his consistency in the course that seeks to prime humanity to loftier heights and his passion for issues concerning Nigeria. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila was also selected because of his role in community development, capacity building and the invocation of the doctrine of necessity.”

Mr Adeyinka said the former US-based lawyer was voted in 2019 to touch the lives of the wonderful people of Surulere, attract the biggest and the greatest amount of attention to the good people of Surulere and attract the attention of the government to the plight of Nigerians.

He said the 9th Assembly needed seasoned and well trained presiding officers to advance the country’s interests.

“We want a House of Representatives that will consider Bills that will help to give legal backing to many of the reform institutions, structures and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC administration. We want him to continue to pursue noble goals for the betterment of society and of the whole human race. We want him to promote accountability in governance, basic human needs, steady electricity supply and inter-modal transportation. We want him to encourage good educational system and culture of constitutionalism.”

Mr Adeyinka, a strong supporter of Mr Gbajabiamila, said Nigerians want the representative of Surulere Constituency 1 to ensure the independence of the National Assembly and collaboration among all the arms of government.

“We want him to support the current fight against corruption. We want him to develop the youth and ensure that peace and prosperity reign at all times. We want him to handle the issue of constitution of standing committees. We want him to help build a viable nation and restore public confidence in the National Assembly as an institution.”

The APC leader whose speech was intermittently punctuated with songs of praises said the people want Mr Gbajabiamila to improve the living conditions of Nigerians, provide basic infrastructure and great jobs.

“We want our children go to school. We want him to ensure that the National Assembly responsibility which is law-making is carried out with the best procedure, the best practice. It is in the best interests of Nigerians, home and abroad, to ensure the birth of Gbajabiamila’s speakership in June because nothing else is comparable to it as an effective way of protecting the interests of all.”

Mr Adeyinka, however, complained about those opposing the speakership bid of Mr Gbajabiamila, saying they are not wishing Nigeria well.

“They may actually be wolves in sheep’s skin who want all legacies of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC administration to be wiped off the face of this earth. We must reject such people. They do not mean well for Nigeria.”

“We move that Femi Gbajabiamila , a model of good political etiquette, renowned for solving the most complicated political problems and a man who served his people with integrity, head held high and staying faithful to the call and responsibilities the people have laid on him, do take the chair of the House of Representatives as Speaker in June.”

He also appealed to young Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of integrity to move the nation forward.

“As we celebrate Children’s Day, let us think very seriously about our future. Let us continue to hold our heads up and high.”

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Gbajabiamila Remains President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff—Presidency

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femi gbajabiamila Hakeem Muri-Okunola

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The presidency has reacted to speculations that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has been removed as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.

It was alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila has been replaced with the President’s Principal Private Secretary, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Mr Muri-Okunola went to Abuja to take up this role after leaving as the Head of Service of the Lagos State Civil Service.

Reacting to the reports on social media on the purported removal of Mr Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the presidency said no such change has been made.

In a statement signed on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, members of the public were advised to disregard the report as “there is absolutely no truth to this story.”

“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.

“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government.

“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement said.

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Eyesan Promises Bold Reset in Nigeria’s Upstream Sector as New NUPRC Head

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oritsemeyiwa Eyesan

By Adedapo Adesanya

The new chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has assumed office with a clear message to advance the country’s upstream oil and gas sector in line with the mandate of the commission as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

According to a statement signed by Mr Eniola Akinkuotu, the Head of Media & Strategic Communications at the upstream regulator, the NUPRC boss made this assertation during her first town hall meeting with management and staff on Tuesday December 23, 2025.

She further disclosed plans to make the commission a business enabler and re-ignite investments in the upstream sector.

Recall that President Tinubu nominated Mrs Eyesan to take over the NUPRC after the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, Mr Gbenga Komolafe as well as his counterpart in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed.

In her new capacity, Mrs Eyesan also set a firm production ambition of growing Nigeria’s output and increasing gas production.

“The goal is that we must enable the industry, we are regulators. We must enable the industry from our interactions with the stakeholders, from our interactions with everybody.

“My main objective is to ensure that we make a difference. I believe the NUPRC is at the Center of the industry,” she said.

The commission boss who has served for over three decades in the oil and gas sector, promised to entrench digitisation, transparency and efficiency in operations.

The NUPRC head said with the support of staff and management, the NUPRC will become the gold-standard regulator in Africa. She also promised capacity development, stronger technical depth and sustained engagement with stakeholders, unions and professional teams.

On leadership style, Mrs Eyesan promised an open-door policy and frequent staff engagement, while also soliciting for support and cooperation as the industry embarks on the next phase of transformation.

“If we work together we can unleash opportunities, I don’t see impediments only opportunities,” she added.

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Christmas: Tinubu Calls for Religious Tolerance Amid Rising Insecurity

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Tinubu's Portrait

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance, peace, and unity, urging citizens of all faiths to reject violence and intolerance amid ongoing security challenges across the country.

In his 2025 Christmas goodwill message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasised that no Nigerian should suffer discrimination or violence because of their religious beliefs, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of worship and national cohesion.

“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” Mr Tinubu said, noting that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity.

The President acknowledged growing concerns around religious intolerance and insecurity, revealing that he had engaged extensively throughout the year with leaders of Nigeria’s two major faiths.

In the last few months, the country faced a spate of attacks including kidnapping of school children and armed terror, involving the death of a high ranking army personnel.

He also said the government would continue to build on these engagements to strengthen collaboration with religious institutions, prevent conflict, and promote peaceful coexistence.

President Tinubu described Christmas as a period for reflection on the message of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, urging Nigerians to draw inspiration from values of love, compassion, and goodwill that cut across all major religions.

He commended Christians in Nigeria for their contributions to national development, particularly their role in caring for the vulnerable and promoting harmony within communities.

“The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people,” he said.

Reiterating his administration’s stance on security, the President said the government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s unity and stability has remained unwavering since he assumed office in 2023. He stressed that the state would not tolerate violence targeted at any group on the basis of ethnicity or belief.

President Tinubu also appealed to Nigerians travelling during the festive season to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing them safe journeys and returns.

Expressing optimism about the country’s future, the President said that with faith in God and collective resolve, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and build a nation that future generations would be proud of.

He concluded by wishing Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas and Nigerians a happy New Year in advance.

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