One thing no one can take away from the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is that he has a golden touch to everything he puts his hand on.
You may not like him outrightly but the fact remains that he has changed the narrative and configuration of the capital city of Abuja.
As humans, everyone has his shortcoming but both friends and foes agreed that the massive transformation Abuja is witnessing is unprecedented in the history of Abuja as the nation’s capital.
For the past 39 years, Abuja is changing in a lot of ways. But the most poignant and standout expression of the changes are the incredible amount of work that’s been done on the road network since the commencement of the Tinubu administration.
All over the city, the change is enveloping residents, and it is one aspect of infrastructural development that can be related with which is obvious.
However, the pace of development of Abuja is therefore significantly dependent on the capacity and qualities of the man chosen by the President as the FCT minister.
If the minister is good, developments in the territory progress faster. If he or she is someone with an average leadership mentality, development becomes arrested and the city falls asleep.
Indeed, when President Tinubu appointed Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT, on 21st August, 2023 as the 17th Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, there was quite some surprise about his choice for the position.
Wike is a young man in a hurry but resolute to write his own history. He bowed to the overpowering zeal to serve humanity. His strength of character and no nonsense reputation for getting results has made this passionate political leader from Rivers state to prove that success is no respecter of gender but favours hard work, tenacity and purpose.
Success is not accidental, neither is it served a la carte; you have to go for it! Either you are a man or woman, young or old, the only thing that separates leaders from others, winners from losers, is their dedication and perseverance in bringing true change into anything they do.
Wike represents a new age of politicians who are deploying their technocrat expertise in creating innovative policies and taking the responsibility for effecting change in the society.
History has a way of throwing up persons with a difference to sharpen its perspective in any given epoch. Politicians are seldom known to think of tomorrow. It is statesmen who do so. He falls in the later grouping.
It appears that even in his stride Barrister Nyesom Wike has already commenced efforts to stamp his feet in history as a man who utilised his office to make a profound difference in the lives of the people, especially rural dwellers.
Nyesom Wike is deliberate, intentional, purposeful, radical, creative and outstanding.
He has the job of steering Abuja to the path of rapid development, a smart and functional city full of opportunities for all, a city capable of global competitiveness, intelligent and compassionate slum renewal regime, creative satellite towns development and security architecture transformation.
The FCT Minister reminded those who cared to listen that the mandate given to him by Mr. President was a marching order, “we must bring FCT back to what it is supposed to be and we are willing and we have the capacity to do that. That is the message. It is not going to be business as usual.”
Nyesom Wike is living up to the billing as a minister, and the good work that he is doing must be admired and commended by all.
And to showcase this transformation, the FCT administration has set aside 10 days for President Bola Tinubu to commission several projects spanning road, health and schools.
As from June 10th, 2025, the commissioning will start with the International Conference Center.
This will be followed by the commissioning of the route from the interchange, going to Jahi, and the other side going to Maitama, Mabushi.
The Vice President will represent the President and commission three projects. The Senate President will also represent the President and commission two projects.
And the Speaker of the House of Representatives will also represent the President and commission two projects. We on our own now, can do the commissioning of the others.
Accordingly, he said “We want to thank the President. It is not easy for him to give us 10 good days, 10 good days, where he will be around to commission the projects. The Vice President takes three good days, the Senate President takes two good days, and the Speaker takes two good days.
So, we are happy; the people of Abuja are happy. You can see/feel the joy of the children, and they are all feeling the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are very happy, very, very happy that all the promises we made, we have been able to accomplish them. Look at the reaction from people. That tells you if the people are happy, we are also happy.
“We can’t tell you how elated we are, but we give God Almighty the glory and thank Mr. President for all his support.”
On maintenance of ICC, he said “I will directly supervise it. We will have an agreement with Julius Berger for the maintenance of the place, and we will pay them. So this time around, it’s not going to be as you hand it over to politicians, and they do whatever they want to do.
“This time around, it is under my supervision, and will be managed and maintained by Julius Berger”
With these, even his critics cannot but applaud the giants strides being witnessed in Abuja in recent times.
Abuja is working, Wike is performing and President Bola Tinubu goes for the best irrespective of tribe, religion and political leaning. Happy second year anniversary to the Renewed Hope Agenda!!!
Abdul is Abuja based journalist and can be reached via abduljelil2001@gmail.com
