Agbese Hails Tunji-Ojo as Epitome of Innovation and Efficiency

Hon. Philip Agbese, the House of Representatives’ deputy spokesperson, praised Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the interior minister, calling him “more than just a performing minister, but a priceless asset to the National Assembly.” He also dismissed the recent controversy surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as “baseless political propaganda from forces opposed to progress.”

Agbese said that the accusations were a part of “a deliberate plot to distract a visionary reformer whose groundbreaking initiatives have transformed the operations of Nigeria’s public institutions” in an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.

The member declared, “Dr. Tunji-Ojo has transformed the Ministry of Interior into a symbol of innovation and efficiency in less than a year.”

“He created new passport offices overseas to serve Nigerians living abroad, introduced a fully automated system that removed middlemen and corruption, and cleared a backlog of over 200,000 passports in just three weeks.” Thanks to his visionary leadership, Nigerians may now process and obtain their passports in a matter of days as opposed to months.

Agbese pointed out that Tunji-Ojo’s influence has extended beyond the Immigration Service to the ministry’s other agencies and the prison industry.

“He has brought discipline and order back to the prison system. In order to reduce traffic, more than 4,500 prisoners have been released, escapees are now tracked using biometric data systems, and jailbreak occurrences have all but vanished, he claimed.

The congressman claims that the minister’s focus on employee welfare and human capacity development has boosted morale among the paramilitary organizations.

“He has improved officers’ welfare packages, implemented digital performance tracking systems, and prioritized prompt promotions. These days, the ministry is renowned for its honesty and efficiency. It has brought in more than ₦6 billion this year alone, demonstrating that efficiency and accountability can coexist,” Agbese continued.

Agbese argued that Tunji-Ojo’s exceptional record threatened those responsible for the NYSC certificate scandal, calling it “a desperate smear campaign.”

“Those who are unable to compete with perfection are behind the certificate charge, which is pure fabrication. It’s a recurring strategy: whenever a young, goal-oriented leader starts to challenge the established quo, critics surface with made-up narratives. However, Nigerians are now wiser, he claimed.

Agbese urged the public to prioritize observable outcomes over baseless assertions.

“Performance, not rumors, should be used to evaluate governance.” Faster services, increased accountability, better transparency, and improvements in the Interior Ministry are all things that every Nigerian can attest to, he stated.

Additionally, he warned against the increasing abuse of social media to disparage public employees, stating that valid issues should be sent to the appropriate authorities.

“There are reputable institutions to address any legitimate issues. Agbese cautioned that using online mob trials merely erodes due process and destroys our democracy.

The deputy spokesperson commended Tunji-Ojo as a brilliant example of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing out that his blend of youth, skill, and patriotism had restored public trust in government agencies.

“Dr. Tunji-Ojo exemplifies a new breed of leaders who are creative, disciplined, and results-oriented. He is creating mechanisms that will endure political noise rather than chasing attention. Agbese said, “Those who propagate falsehoods will eventually disappear, but his record of excellence and reform will endure.”