I’ll give my best, says Gambari, Buhari’s new chief of staff

The new Chief of Staff to the President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, has assured his principal and Nigerians of giving his best to ensure the overall development of the nation.

In his first chat with State House Correspondents shortly after he was officially unveiled as the new Chief of Staff, Gambari appreciated Buhari for trusting him with such a strategic office.

“I will serve the nation, Mr President. He needs my loyalty, competence, and support. I will serve to the best of my ability”, he said.

When asked by one of the journalists what Nigerians should be expecting from him, he said: “I think you have to ask the president. I have not started, so I will find out… I don’t report directly to the nation; I report directly to the president.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, had earlier in the day announced the appointment of Gambari as the new CoS during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) virtual meeting.

On Tuesday Buhari selected the professor of political science to replace former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who died on April 17 after suffering complications from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus.

The 75-year-old, who hails from Kwara State, has held several political offices before his recent appointment. He was the Minister of External Affairs from 1984 to 1985 under Buhari’s military regime.

Similarly, he served as the under Secretary-General of the UN and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa between 1999 and 2005.

Meanwhile, several prominent Nigerians have commended Buhari for appointing Gambari as the new CoS, while expressing confidence in his ability to live up to expectations.

Reacting, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar said: “Congratulations Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR on your appointment as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. It is my hope and expectation and those of millions of Nigerians that you will deploy your varied skills garnered over the years in the service of our nation.”

Also commenting, immediate past President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said: “I congratulate Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari on his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. Prof. Gambari is a decent man, a cerebral academic, disciplined diplomat and he is coming in with the necessary pedigree that will help him to do well on the job. I have no doubt that he will succeed on this onerous assignment. I urge all Nigerians to give him all the support that he needs to perform in office.”