Gambari has challenging task as Chief of Staff – NPC Boss

Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

The role of new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Agboola, has been described as challenging.

Acting Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, who noted this in Abuja Saturday, however said he was sure Professor Gambari had what it takes to meet the responsibility..

He told newsmen on Saturday that, as a former student of the erudite scholar at the Ahmadu Bello University, he was convinced that Prof. Gambari would assist Buhari to drive the change agenda of his administration.

Oyetunji had on May 18, sent a congratulatory message to the former UN official and former Minister at the State House shortly after he was appointed, on behalf of the Director-General, Management and Staff members of NPopC.

He said that by the appointment at the crucial time occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant national economic and social dislocation, it was clear that the President had confidence in Gambari’s competence and ability to assist him.

“I have no doubt that you have what it takes to assist Mr President in steering the ship of the nation through the difficult time and relaunching the nation into a new era of posterity and political stability,’’ he said.

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The population boss recalled that Gambari’s predecessor, the late Abba Kyari, was “a role model and tremendous source of inspiration’’.

According to him, when the NPopC officials met with the late COS he showed great knowledge and understanding of the mandate of the commission and re-assured them of his support to the realisation of their mandate.

He said that the commission would be glad if the new COS would extend support to the commission in view of its task to facilitate a national head count.

Oyetunji had earlier condoled with Buhari on Kyari’s death saying that the commission was saddened that he passed on when the nation needed his administrative wealth of experience in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.

He, however, noted that late Kyari would be remembered for his “unparalleled loyalty’’ to Buhari and “his impeccable integrity and his effort to entrench probity, accountability and transparency toward a corruption-free nation.’’