The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has restated his commitment to public service ahead of assuming duties as the Chief of Staff on June 14.
President Bola Tinubu, last Friday, appointed Gbajabiamila in spite of his election to the Surulere I Federal Constituency seat for a sixth consecutive term.
During the valedictory session of the Ninth House of Representatives on Wednesday, the Speaker gave a farewell speech, recounting the highlights of his two-decade legislative career.
“As you are all aware, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has nominated me to continue serving the people of Nigeria as Chief of Staff in the Presidency,” he told the legislators to applause.
Noting he was “humbled by this new call to duty”, Gbajabiamila said he “came to this honourable house 20 years ago filled with hope for our nation’s future.”
“To leave this office today with hope unbroken and my enthusiasm to serve remains undiminished,” he added.
The speaker stated that his long-held belief was that the ultimate end of all political and governance efforts must be to achieve measurable improvements in the lives of the people on whose behalf office is held.
The fundamental belief in the responsibility of the government to be a force for good had been his guiding light, he added.
“It will continue to be so in my new endeavour,” he continued. “I humbly ask for your prayers and support in this new chapter.”
“I assure you that in this new role, I will work to ensure a cordial and productive relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, whilst respecting the independence and prerogatives of the legislature.”
The chief of staff-designate remarked that there’s a time and a season for everything, telling his fellow lawmakers that they were obliged and obligated to do the most and the best they could in the time they had.
“As I transition into my new role, a role unlike the one I have had for these many years, I ask for your support and best wishes as we continue to work together to advance the cause and fulfil the promise of Nigeria.
“I will miss all of you and I will miss this house. I want you to rest assured that wherever the road takes me, I will carry you all in my heart, fondly because you have enriched my life in ways words alone cannot fully express,” he concluded.
Gbajabiamila thanked the civil servants and aides he worked with, urging them to perform their roles credibly.
He also appreciated the civil society organisations and development partners, including the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) as well as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
