President Bola Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for introducing progressive policies that have significantly transformed Abuja.
Speaking on Sunday at the Presidential Villa, where he received Wike and a delegation of Abuja indigenes for Sallah homage, Tinubu lauded the Minister’s efforts in managing the city’s diversity and implementing forward-thinking governance.
“When we started, he came up with a lot of good ideas to liberate the bureaucracy and promote progressive governance,” Tinubu stated. “His policies have provided opportunities for many who would have otherwise been hindered by property rights. The independent civil service commission solution and other policies have enabled upward mobility and promotions in the civil service and Area Councils despite limited resources.”
The President also recalled Wike’s appeal to exempt the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to accelerate development.
“I remember Wike coming to me, saying, ‘Please, take us out of this TSA issue so I can do more work.’ He presented his plan, and I added my political perspective. I asked, ‘Would this benefit my party in the FCT?’ He reassured me, and we moved forward.”
Tinubu credited Wike’s leadership for fast-tracking abandoned projects, completing the Vice President’s residence, upgrading health centers, and improving teachers’ welfare and school infrastructure. He highlighted the resulting improvements in security, economic activity, and overall satisfaction among residents.
“We are seeing peace, improving security, and stabilized food prices,” Tinubu noted. “People want results, comfort, and fairness. Wike is proving that Nigeria’s diversity is a strength. We may live in different rooms, but we are one family.”
The President further emphasized Wike’s effectiveness in the FCT, despite hailing from the South, as a reflection of national unity.
“Wike is not from the North, yet he is driving remarkable progress in Abuja. This shows that Nigeria’s diversity can foster prosperity when harnessed effectively.”
In his Sallah message, Tinubu urged Muslims to uphold the values of tolerance, generosity, and compassion learned during Ramadan.
“We must continue to share with the less privileged and believe that Nigeria is greater than any one of us. I am merely a custodian of your trust—only Almighty Allah gives power.”
Credit: New Telegraph except headline
