• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

I have always wanted to write an opinion on the man Rt. Hon. Olufemi Gbajabiamila, right from when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, but I haven't gotten myself to pen down my thoughts. Recently, a friend sent me an opinion titled "An Open Letter to the President'' for my review, which I found very exciting. I told her the piece would be good for the wider public, and sought her permission to publish it on my page with minor redaction. In her well-articulated letter to the president, Ms. Deborah Ronke Apampa wrote as follows: Years ago, I appeared on TV as a young television presenter. Today, I'm a media personality and entrepreneur who means well for Lagos and Nigeria. I address this letter to you and to Lagos, because leadership conversations are already beginning. As you know, Lagos State is like no other. Lagos is a movement. A megacity. A living, breathing force. After your outstanding leadership as governor from 1999 to 2007, continuity has been intentional, from Babatunde Fashola to Akinwunmi Ambode to Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Each administration has followed your blueprint for a greater Lagos. As we stand at another defining moment, I want to speak about a man I have watched closely for years -- your protégé, Mr. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila. Not just the politician. The person. In that name, *OLUFEMI*, I see seven reasons Lagos should pay attention. Biblically, seven is the number of perfections. *O* - Outstanding: His legislative record is not noise; it is impact. In Surulere, his representation delivered visible infrastructure improvements, youth empowerment initiatives, and sustained grassroots engagement. The results speak for themselves. At the federal level, as former Speaker of the House of Representatives and now Chief of Staff to the President, he sponsored the Access to Higher Education Act (Student Loan Act), which established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Through NELFUND, interest-free loans now provide tuition and upkeep support to indigent students, thereby expanding access to higher education and investing directly in Nigeria's future. Its expansion into skill-development programmes reflects strategic and forward-thinking national leadership. Surulere is evidence locally. NELFUND is impact nationally. *L* - Love: The meaning of "Olufemi" is "God loves me." Indeed, a man who is loved by God embodies the Gospel of John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." I can cite a few examples of this: When my "brother," legendary footballer Nwankwo Kanu, faced issues regarding his hotel, Mr Gbajabiamila did not look away. As Speaker, he ensured the matter received attention at the House. On another occasion, when I was part of the organisers of Nollywood Queen, Omotola perfections 40th birthday, I invited him at very short notice. Despite his demanding schedule, he attended to honour her. One might assume such gestures are reserved for well-known figures, but it cuts across. Years ago, Rose Graham, then an unknown face at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was heartbroken and weeping in a car park. He stopped, spoke kindly to her, and ensured she was emotionally settled before departing. There were no cameras. Just a man with empathy and compassion. Similarly, when my then 19-year-old assistant, Deborah Ayinla attended a meeting with me during the UNILAG strike, he engaged her warmly, reassured her about the government's plan to end the strike, and also offered fatherly counsel whilst dipping his hand into his pocket in keeping with our cultural tradition. She remains grateful. These are not grand political gestures. They are habits of character. *U* - Unifier: I have repeatedly observed his ability to treat all people equally, without prejudice to religion, ethnicity, or social class. Though a Muslim, he celebrates Christmas with warmth and openness, creating a welcoming atmosphere for friends and associates of all faiths, with his gracious wife serving as an exceptional host. He is, by disposition and practice, a bridge-builder. *F* - Family Man: Recently, on Valentine's Day, a touching video circulated of him presenting flowers to his nonagenarian mother, a gesture of honour and gratitude. A man who respects his mother, prioritises his children, and cherishes his amiable wife, Salamatu, affectionately known to many of us as "Aunty Sal," and who would undoubtedly emerge as one of the most fashionable and accomplished First Ladies Lagos has ever had, understands responsibility beyond rhetoric. *E* - Excellence: "Daniel 6:3" says, "An excellent spirit was found in him". Excellence is not perfection. It is consistency. Preparation. Composure. Discipline. Detail. Strategy. Friendly and accessible, yet firm and focused. Over the years, that spirit has distinguished him in leadership, relationships, conduct, and even in the intentionality of his personal style. *M* - Meticulous: His leadership is deliberate and detail-driven. Policies are planned. Projects are supervised. Processes are transparent. He does not lead from a distance. He is present from conception to completion. Development under his watch is structured, intentional, and accountable. *I* - Intelligent & Humble: Apart from my late father, Musliu Amao Apampa who was the fastest reader I knew and whom I jokingly describe as having a computer brain, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Hon. Gbajabiamila also possesses the rare ability to read at remarkable speed while assimilating critical details. I witnessed this recently when I sent him an article. He responded almost immediately, having digested it fully. People with this rare gift are exceptionally brilliant. They are able to achieve more in less time. His desk at the Villa is constantly active -- documents, meetings, and phone calls yet he remains composed, attentive, and meticulous. He is not distracted. Beyond intelligence is humility. During COVID, I once wrote about what I believed was a divine revelation concerning bitter kola. To my surprise, he responded and said he would send his aides to purchase some. At the time, even I had not bought any. That gesture strengthened my faith, not only in God, but in the humility of a man willing to listen. On two other occasions, his humility struck me profoundly: Once, I arrived for a meeting well before a minister. I prepared myself to wait, assuming the minister would naturally take precedence. Instead, within ten minutes, I was ushered in, with an apology from him for keeping my team waiting. He even walked us out afterwards. The second one was recently at the Villa. I had waited about 20 minutes because he had another guest. Again, he apologised for keeping us waiting. This is a man who truly respects and appreciates people. Perhaps this may seem small until you have experienced the opposite. Years ago, a commissioner in Lagos State kept me waiting for over four hours while "gisting" with celebrities who arrived after me. No apology. No courtesy. I felt "little," yet I could not leave because I desperately needed the project. Leadership reveals itself in moments like these. Power does not change a man. It exposes him. Mr. President, Sir, and the good people of Lagos State. This is my conviction: Lagos does not merely need succession. It needs Stewardship with service. Competence with compassion. Strength with sensitivity. Continuity with conscience. In OLUFEMI, I see a leader who does not only occupy rooms of power but, from an abundance of love, bends down in car parks to comfort the broken hearted. "Mr. President, as you consider the future of Lagos State, on behalf of grateful Lagosians, I humbly request that you consider 'loaning' Hon Olufemi Gbajabiamila, your trusted Chief of Staff, to serve as the next Governor of Lagos. His exceptional leadership and vision would be a game-changer for the state. While we acknowledge the immense value he brings to your administration, Lagos's gain could be Nigeria's gain. Gbajabiamila's success in Lagos would be a testament to your leadership and vision for the country. He's not just your Chief of Staff; he's a national asset who can drive development and prosperity in one of Africa's most vibrant cities. We understand the importance of his current role, but sometimes, great leaders need to be shared. Lagos needs him, and his success would reflect positively on your presidency. Let's allow him to serve Lagos, and the entire nation will benefit. Mr. President, we're not asking you to let him go - we're asking you to loan him to Lagos, with the assurance that he'll continue to serve with excellence and loyalty, just in a different capacity." Respectfully, Deborah Apampa. Source: https://thesun.ng/an-open-letter-why-the-president-should-loan-gbajabiamila-to-lagos-in-2027/