By PRISCA Sam-DURU

It was indeed a day of double honour for  Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila,  minority leader in the House of Representatives,  representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, as his admirers, colleagues and family members gathered at the City Hall, Lagos to celebrate his feat since assumption of office in 2003.

The occasion doubled as celebration of his 50th birthday  as well as the public presentation of a book in his honour, “Fearless: the Emergence Of A Virile And Formidable Opposition Leader (Political Memoirs of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila) written by Dr Wale Okediran.

The well attended event was graced by eminent Nigerians, among who were,  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal;  Prince Henry Ajomale; Governor of Ogun State, Ibukunle Amosun; Chief Bisi Akande, Hon Leo Ogo, Musiliu Obanikoro, Oba M.O. Hamza, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and  Nasiri El-Rufai. Others were, Hon. Ayo Okpadokun, Deputy governor of the State of Osun, Otunba Grace Tomore; Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, Fola Adeola, Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola, and many others.

In his opening speech, the chairman of the occasion Alhaji Femi Okunnu  said that Femi has contributed immensely to national discourse. “I have followed his activities and can proudly say that Femi has served this country very well as a minority leader. He rejected a national honour on the grounds that he still has a lot to do.” He said, adding that  “he is a patriotic citizen who is interested in what  to give to his country rather than what he will get”.

In his review titled, “Beyond Politics: Civic Memory in Times of Trouble” Dr Chidi Odinkalu described the book as a biography and a record of public service that is still unfinished, stressing that it is  “very rare in contemporary Nigeria.”

Asiwaju of Lagos, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his speech, described Femi as “an inspiration to many of the members of the  House of Representatives today  who are working tirelessly to see Nigeria chart a new course and  are very so committed to changes,  content of the character of the country, adding  a great value and commitment to national development and progress of this country”.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in his contribution, conveyed the felicitations of the entire 359 members of the House of Representative for Femi’s  numerous achievements and pointed out that  “Femi is a brother, compatriot, nationalist, leader  who puts aside difference in political platforms and background while working together for the common interest of this country”.

Former FCT Minister Nasiri El-Rufai who delivered the message from the national leader of the Congress for Progressive Change, Gen Mohamadu Buhari and the party described the celebrant as “a  very courageous  person.”

In his own remarks, Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola said “Femi has been a very worthy representative for me and for our people”.