TeeJay Yusuf bags 2025 Leadership Award

Hon. Teejay Yusuf, a three-term member of the House of Representatives and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, has bagged the 2025 Leadership Award in Vision, Courage and Commitment to Politics.

The award was bestowed on him on Tuesday in Abuja by the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), in conjunction with Naijablitznews and Hellosis Media.

In his brief acceptance speech, Yusuf said he was dedicating the award to God and humanity, while noting that it was a call to greater responsibility.

He said: “I see this as a set-up because there is a saying that the reward for good work is more work. It is those who do not know that see accolades and awards as perks. To me, an award exposes you to more responsibilities, and expectations become higher because you have been recognised at this level. Any slip is then seen as a failure. So, I see this as a set-up.

“However, my consolation is that I have not achieved anything because I am smarter, more intelligent or more equipped. Whatever I have been able to achieve is because it pleased God to make it happen. If it were only hard work, the men who dig wells would have been the richest.

“So, I will give honour to whom honour is due and glory to whom glory is due. It pleased God to give us life today, and I want to thank Him.

“I also thank you for finding me worthy. There are many people doing good things, but you noticed me in my corner. I will not take it for granted.

“By His grace, I will stay focused, continue to improve in areas where I need growth, and reach out more because I know there are still many gaps.

“The greatest challenge we have as a people is leadership—pure leadership. The leaders we have come from our micro society, our environment, and our families. The tendencies they bring into public office are reflections of the home. That is why we have these challenges.

“The day we confront the challenge of leadership, our country will be fixed. Fix the home, and you fix the family.

“I dedicate this to God and humanity, and I pledge that I will strive to do more.

“I will strive to keep the fire burning. I will ensure that the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted so that generations unborn will realise that there were some of us, in our little corners, who chose to follow this path. It may be narrow, it may not attract accolades or applause, but consistency over time produces more results than complacency. Thank you, and God bless you.”

Earlier, in his citation presented by Naijablitznews Associate Editor, Gloria Ikibah, it was stated that:

“Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, better known as TEEJAY, is a politician, entrepreneur and nationalist. He is a natural bridge-builder—pragmatic, conscientious, reliable and altruistic.

“A former Secretary-General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), TEEJAY was at the forefront of struggles against military rule in Nigeria in the 1990s. Given his commitment to human rights and advocacy against tyranny, despotism and arbitrariness, he was appointed Secretary-General of the late Chima Ubani-led Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) while still an undergraduate.

“He served as a three-term member of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023, representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency. During this period, he occupied several leadership positions, including Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market. Under his watch, the committee successfully organised the ‘Stakeholders Forum on the Capital Market.’ To date, the forum’s positive impact on the sub-sector and the economy remains evident in national development. He recorded a distinguished legislative career with outstanding accomplishments in lawmaking, oversight and constituency development.

“As a first-term member in the 7th Assembly, he moved the first motion that prevented the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) from embarking on a strike action that would have plunged the country into total darkness.

“During his 12 years in the House of Representatives, he moved 100 motions and sponsored 20 bills focused on development, good governance and meaningful national transformation.

“In recognition of his commitment and contributions to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he has been a member since 2009, he was recently elevated to the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

“He has received numerous awards from reputable public and private organisations within and outside Nigeria for his contributions to nation-building, human development and philanthropy.

“An alumnus of the University of Jos, where he studied Economics, TEEJAY YUSUF holds certifications from global institutions, including Harvard University, Cambridge University and Carleton University in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Presently, he is the Managing Director of Twenty Five Eleven Limited, with headquarters in Abuja.”