Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as the right man for the job.
Mr Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Wednesday signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said Gambari is a man of impeccable character, right temperament, leadership and knowledge.
He said: “The choice of Professor Gambari as successor to the late Mallam Abba Kyari by President Muhammadu Buhari is commendable. Gambari is not just an academic or a diplomat, he is a fine gentleman, a decent Nigerian who epitomizes the Nigerian dream.
“My personal and official interactions with Professor Gambari have brought about nothing but meaningful development. He is a man of many parts.’’
Sanwo-Olu said the several years of experience garnered by the newly-appointed chief of staff in various fields of international diplomacy and politics, academics, research and management, would help Buhari in his administration.
The governor, however, urged Nigerians to support the new chief of staff, saying the nation has a lot to benefit from his varied skills.
Similarly, the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, described Gambari as an ‘erudite’ man who loves his country.
“The appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is a laudable one. Prof. Gambari is a renowned diplomat, statesman and scholar who has served this nation in many important positions,” Tinubu said in the statement signed by his media adviser, Tunde Rahman.
“His intellect, broad experience and skills in administration and diplomacy have adequately prepared and equipped him for the important job he now has. I congratulate Professor Gambari on his selection and commend President Buhari for making such a thoughtful and prudent choice at this crucial moment.
“Prof. Gambari will work competently and with dedication to help President Buhari advance his policy and governance priorities just as he did in the past when he served as Minister of External Affairs in the 1980’s. My personal knowledge of Chief of Staff Gambari is that he is an erudite man who knows and loves this country and who strongly believes in the Nigerian project and President Buhari’s change agenda. He is no stranger to our party, APC, and its progressive national vision.
“Over a long and illustrious career, Prof. Gambari has proved his mettle nationally and internationally. His resume takes a back seat to none. He distinguished himself as an Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and as the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar and Special Representative in Angola. He has made groundbreaking contributions in the areas of conflict prevention and resolution, democratisation and development in Africa
“At this time when the entire world is combating the coronavirus pandemic and the economic consequences thereof, Prof. Gambari’s expertise and international reputation will help Nigeria galvanise national, regional and international efforts and resources to contain this viral menace and to advance Nigeria’s interests on other important matters.”
Tinubu said Gambari would meet the challenges, but added that he was sure the new chief of staff would beat the challenges with “excellence and high purpose”.
