Femi Fani-Kayode
Happy birthday to my dear friend and brother Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilla, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives.
We grew up together with the likes of Folabie Caxton Martins, Wole Atunrase (both of whom lived just round the corner from you in Surulere), Deremie Ajidahun and so many others in those heady yet great days of the 1970’s and 1980’s in Lagos and London and have been closer than brothers for at least 50 years.
In all that time you have never let me or any of us down and you have always displayed nothing but loyalty and sincerity to those you grew up with and your childhood friends.
I remember your scathing criticism of the late and great Chief Bola Ige when you and I first started politics in 1990 and after he ran down the concept of “newbreed politicians” which the Government of that day introduced and promoted.
I remember the day you came back from America in 2004 with your beautiful wife, Saa, after many years of living abroad and your visit to President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Villa to tell him that you and her were back and that you would be living in Abuja.
I remember the restaurant and bar you and madame opened in Abuja a few years later where all those that mattered used to gather and make merry.
I remember when you were first elected into the House of Representatives and, even though we belonged to different political parties at the time, how elated I and all your other old friends and brothers were that you had won.
I remember watching the great loyalty and commitment you displayed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from 1993, through the NADECO days, through the time he was Governor of Lagos state and up until the time he was elected president and how you stuck with him through thick and thin.
I remember the unadulterated and rare display of love you always displayed and still display towards your dear mother, our Mama (who was my late mother’s friend and a great politician in her own right) and towards your dear wife.
These are memories that I have of you and few know that behind your sometimes stern and officious look lies a very soft, kind and caring heart.
I remember the great and fiery speech you made at my 47th birthday dinner party at in Lagos in 2007 when I was Minister of Aviation and how you spoke so well of me whilst at the same time and in the same speech you courageously criticised the president and government that I served!
I remember the equally fiery speech I made at your birthday dinner party a few years later in Abuja in 2011 when you were a member of the House of Representatives and just after the election of our old friend, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House.
I remember saying on that day that your time would come to be Speaker and to go to even greater heights in our nation and my words proved to be prophetic.
Most important of all I remember your sheer humanity and your extraordinary courage when it comes to speaking your mind and the bitter truth even to your closest friends.
You are a profoundly good man Femi and you know that I am not one that speaks lightly or is given to paying compliments unless I mean them.
Most importantly you have done a great job in public office and in service to our country over the years and I marvel about how far we have come together and how far you have gone.
We both grew up in Lagos and today we are neighbours in Maitama, Abuja! Whoever thought that this would be? God has been good to us all.
I have no doubt that there is still so much more that lies ahead for you my brother and, as always, my prayers are for and with you.
May God grant you many more years of peace, joy, good health, prosperity and service to our fatherland and may He continue to lead, guide and protect you and yours.
You have done us proud and by God’s grace you shall continue to go from strength to strength.
Have a great day my brother and know that you are loved, cherished and appreciated by many.
• Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation
CAPTION: L-R: Gbajabiamila, Fanikayode and Ribadu