The Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence built by the former Speaker at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been commissioned by the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen also commissioned the Surulere Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) facilitated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The 484-bed hostel facility is the landmark contribution of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to the physical infrastructure development of his Alma Mater.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, kicked off the event on a note of gratitude, and thanked the donor for his visionary leadership and large-heartedness.
Gbajabiamila thanked the immediate past VC Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, for suggesting the hostel as a project idea and the current VC for her continuity.
“I hope that it provides the space for students to live and dream big”, he said. “May this hall of residence be a place where dreams are nurtured to greatness”.
The current Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, while officially commissioning the Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence, lauded the Donor’s pro-people leadership style, promising to replicate same.
Speaker Abbas Commissions Gbajabiamila’s Constituency Projects In Lagos
Speaking at the separate events on Wednesday, the Speaker faulted the criticisms against the Zonal Intervention Projects popularly called constituency projects, saying they are successfully addressing the needs of Nigerians, especially at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Speaker Abbas opened an 80-bed hospital at Imota in Ikorodu, Lagos State, facilitated by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson.
The Speaker noted: “These specific initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents.”
Speaker Abbas also noted that for many Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, it is through constituency projects that they see the most direct and tangible manifestation of the government and democracy.
“However, there has been a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the purpose and essence of these legislative interventions. Constituency projects are not mere items in a budget; they are the lifelines that connect the heart of our government to the heartbeat of communities,” he stated.
The Speaker explained that the projects offer a unique opportunity for legislators to address the specific needs and challenges of their constituents.
He said: “By tailoring projects to local contexts, we ensure that development is not just a concept discussed in the halls of the legislature but a reality experienced in the streets, villages, and towns across Nigeria.
“Furthermore, constituency projects best reflect participatory governance, given that local communities are involved in the decision-making process. This approach does not just build infrastructure; it builds trust, confidence, and a sense of ownership among the people.”
Saying he was personally encouraged by the many success stories that had emerged from constituency projects over the last two decades, Speaker Abbas noted that schools had opened doors to education, healthcare facilities had saved lives, and infrastructure had bridged literal and metaphorical gaps between communities.
The Speaker stated: “These success stories are not just achievements; they inspire millions of Nigerians at the grassroots level and show that the government cares about them. With greater transparency and accountability, constituency projects can be the most viable tools for developing forgotten sections of Nigeria.
“I intend to re-introduce a reviewed version of the Constituency Development Fund Bill to provide a legal framework for the management, disbursement, utilisation and accountability of funds designated for constituency projects.”