President Bola Tinubu stated that 50 years after its establishment, the Federal Capital Territory is changing for the better under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Friday night during a special thanksgiving dinner to commemorate the successful launch of 31 projects across the FCT in 28 days.
The president, accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, praised Wike and his team for their efforts to ensure that the nation’s capital works for all.
“Tonight turns out to be the night given to God Almighty. I will thank God for our lives and for the survival of our country many years after. I will also thank God for the residents and indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Fifty years after Nigeria created the FCT, things changed, things have turned around and things are getting better.”
He also praised the minister for showing that “leadership is not measured by how loudly one announces plans but by how clearly the people can see the results of those plans”.
He stated that the FCT belongs to all Nigerians, describing it as a metropolis where unity exists, diversity intersects, and every citizen’s hope finds a common address.
“Every new road here shortens somebody’s journey. Every new bridge connects more than communities; it connects friendship, it connects love, it connects unity, and it also connects opportunities for Nigerians.
“Every completed project quietly tells Nigerians that the government can still work when vision meets determination,” he said.
Aliyu Modibbo, a former FCT minister and current special adviser to the president on general duties, Office of the Vice President, stated that Wike was one of the FCT ministers that did so effectively.
Modibbo, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima at the occasion, expressed confidence that Wike will return as FCT minister during Tinubu’s second term, stating, “Four years is not enough to complete what you have started.”
In his remarks, Wike stated that when he took office as FCT minister in August 2023, he saw dejected government officials who lacked motivation to drive Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
He stated that he and Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, turned things around by establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission.
According to him, the commission enables civil officials to advance to the posts of permanent secretary and head of the civil service.
He stated that Tinubu approved the commission to urge workers to do their best for the development of the FCT.
The minister stated that with motivated staff, nine projects were inaugurated in Tinubu’s first year in office, 19 in the second year and 31 in the third year.
He said the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account also contributed to the success by enabling the administration to access funds from commercial banks to implement projects.
He complimented contractors for the quality and timely delivery of projects around the area and promised to continue working with them to give people the best.
“Comparatively, what Tinubu has done and will continue to do in the FCT is unprecedented. Most of the projects we completed were not initiated by the current administration, and 70 per cent of them were abandoned projects.
“The only project that was not completed is the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX),” Wike said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas also called Wike the “best-performing minister of the FCT so far” and praised him for his efforts to modernise the nation’s capital.
Abbas, who was represented by the House Majority Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, stated that the FCT has witnessed tremendous and unprecedented transformation under Wike’s leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Julius Berger’s managing director, Dr Peer Lubasch, stated that certain contractors had witnessed more ribbon-cutting events in recent days than in prior years.
Lubasch praised Tinubu for his focus on infrastructure, economic growth, and national development.
He also praised Wike for his vision, planning, and consistent investment, which he claimed were transforming Abuja into Africa’s best purpose-built capital.
“We are proud that we have been an integral part of Abuja’s story from its formative years to the present day,” he said.
