TeeJay Yusuf Bags 2025 Leadership Award, Dedicates Honour to God, Humanity (Photos) ~ Truth Reporters

 

…says the recognition is a call to do more

 

Hon. TeeJay Yusuf, a three-term former member of the House of Representatives and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, has received the 2025 Leadership Award for Vision, Courage and Commitment to Politics.

 

The award was presented to him on Tuesday in Abuja by the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), in conjunction with Naijablitznews and Hellosis Media.

 

In his brief acceptance speech, Yusuf dedicated the award to God and humanity, describing the honour as a challenge to greater responsibility and service.

 

According to him, “I see this as a set-up because there is a saying that the reward for good work is more work. So, it is those who don’t know that see accolades and awards as mere spectacle. To me, it exposes you to more responsibilities and higher expectations. Any slip is seen as a failure, so I see this as a set-up.

 

“However, my consolation is that I have not achieved anything because I am smarter, more intelligent or more equipped. Whatever I have been able to do is because it pleased God to make it happen. If it were only hard work, those who dig wells would be the richest.

 

“So, I give honour and glory to God. It pleases Him to give us even life today, and for that I thank Him.

 

“I also thank you for finding me worthy. There are many people doing good things, but you noticed me in my little corner. I will not take this for granted.

 

“By His grace, I will stay focused, continue to improve where I need to, and reach out more, because there are still many gaps to fill.

 

“The greatest challenge we have as a people is leadership—pure leadership. Our leaders emerge from our homes and communities, and what they bring into public office often reflects that background. The day we fix the challenge of leadership, our country will be fixed. Fix the home, and you fix the family.

 

“I dedicate this award to God and to humanity, and I pledge to strive to do more. I will keep the fire burning, ensure that the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted, so that generations unborn will know that some of us, in our little corners, chose a narrow but purposeful path. Consistency over time produces more results than complacency. Thank you, and God bless you.”

 

Earlier, while presenting his citation, Naijablitznews Associate Editor, Gloria Ikibah, described Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, popularly known as TeeJay, as a politician, entrepreneur and nationalist with a strong reputation as a bridge-builder.

 

She said Yusuf is pragmatic, conscientious, reliable and altruistic, noting that he was a former Secretary-General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a frontline activist against military rule in the 1990s.

 

“Because of his commitment to human rights and advocacy against tyranny, despotism and arbitrariness, he became Secretary-General of the Chima Ubani-led Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) while still an undergraduate,” she said.

 

Ikibah noted that Yusuf served three terms in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2023, representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, where he held several leadership positions, including Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market.

 

“Under his leadership, the committee successfully organised the Stakeholders’ Forum on the Capital Market, the positive impact of which is still evident in the sub-sector and national economic development,” she said.

 

She added that as a first-term lawmaker in the 7th Assembly, Yusuf moved the motion that prevented the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) from embarking on a nationwide strike that would have plunged the country into darkness.

 

“During his 12 years in the House of Representatives, he sponsored over 100 motions and 20 people-focused bills aimed at good governance and sustainable development,” Ikibah stated.

 

She further disclosed that Yusuf, a PDP member since 2009, was recently elevated to the party’s Board of Trustees in recognition of his commitment and contributions.

 

An alumnus of the University of Jos, where he studied Economics, Yusuf also holds certifications from global institutions including Harvard University, Cambridge University and Carleton University.

 

He is currently the Managing Director of Twenty Five Eleven Limited, with its headquarters in Abuja, and has received numerous awards within and outside Nigeria for his contributions to nation-building, human development and philanthropy.