6th June, 2023
By Nimot Sulaimon
Outgoing Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, has handed over to the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The handing-over ceremony was witnessed by Tinubu and other top officials late Monday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Gambari held the position from 2020 to 2023 after the death of his predecessor Abba Kyari in April 2020.
As Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila must take mantle of managing the flow of information and people, while also advising the president on important issues.
The position was created by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, modelled after the White House Chief of Staff.
Gbajabiamila will directly take assignment from the Office of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR). He will also manage the president’s office.
Shortly after Gbajabiamila’s appointment was made official, he expressed his gratitude in a statement, ending weeks of speculation.
“Having spent the last 20 years in the Nigerian Parliament, and after winning my 6th term election into the National Assembly, I shall work with Mr President in discharging the enormous task ahead of him for the peace and progress of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“I shall give my best when I take office on June 14 2023 as reflected in Mr. President’s official letter,” he said.