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Haj Mairo Drums Support For Hon Yusuf Gagdi in Race for speaker, House of Reps

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2023

As the battle for the speakership of the 10th National Assembly heats up, Hajiya Mairo Mohammed, a civil society activist under the aegis of Women Progressive Movement and President of the Group from the North East, has leant her weight behind Rt. Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, serving Member and Member-elect for the 10th National Assembly in the Green Chambers for the coveted position.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja over the weekend, Hajiya Mohammed said Rt. Hon Gagdi has acquired the status of a Ranking Member of the House of Representatives having been elected to the House for two consecutive times representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency from Plateau State as well as being the Chairman, House Committee on Navy.

Hajiya Mairo pleads for support of his fellow members-elect to rally round Gagdi and give him their votes for purposeful leadership of the House of Representatives that will give proper legislative direction and harmonious working relationships with other arms of government (Executive and Judiciary) for the peaceful coexistence, economic prosperity and social cohesion of Nigeria, noting that Gagdi’s simplicity, compassion, philanthropism, modesty and love for humanity has endeared him to his people whom he has served creditably as their representatives for over a decade in his political career.

She said the kind of political leadership that Nigeria requires in the Green Chambers is one with resilience in leadership coordination and prowess devoid of sectional, regional, religious and ethnic bias and that which allows public participation and inclusiveness in nature, qualities she asserts Hon Gagdi possesses and which places him over and above his fellow contenders.

It will be recalled that Rt. Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi had indicated interest to join the race for the Chief Lawmaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly having had quality experience in the Nigerian political space, first as Legislative Aide to the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Deputy Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, before joining the National Assembly as an elected member in 2019 wherein he became the Chairman, House Committee on Navy and now member elect for two consecutive times.

Hajiya Mairo who maintains that public agitation by progressive women groups is gaining ground across the world in the efforts to entrench popular democracy that has the capacity to bring the desired societal change for the generality of the people, has equally come to stay in Nigeria and that it is on this premise that she is canvassing for Rt. Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi to occupy the position of the speakership of the House of Representatives come June 2023 when members elect of the 10th National Assembly will be sworn in and subsequently elect leadership of both the red and green chambers.

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.

He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.

“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.

Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.

On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.

“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.

“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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