NEWS
Transforming Abuja: Nyesom Wike’s Development Initiatives in the Federal Capital Territory
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Dr. Mariya Mahmud on the 21st August, 2023 assumed office as the 17th Minister and the 12th Minister of state of the Federal Capital Territory respectively shortly after their inauguration by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Wike who is immediate past Governor of River state, when he assumed office as Minister in his office while speaking to journalists pledged to make Abuja safe for all Nigerians saying that he has the full support of Mr President to bring immediate solution to the challenges facing the nation’s capital. The FCT Minister said: “The President has given us the 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 what we have come to tell members of the media. It is not going to be business as usual.”The Minister continued: “So many people have complained that FCT has lost focus; so many people have complained that this is not the FCT they know, this is not the FCT of the founding fathers; it is not the FCT that they thought will compete with other cities of the world. And now is the time we must show that the Federal Capital Territory Abuja should be one of the cities that will compete with other cities of the world”.Wike also assured Abuja residents of massive infrastructural development, increased Internal Generation of Revenue, IGR, proper sanitation of the city, tackle the challenges of land speculation, insecurity, alternative transportation to motorcycles and tricycles in the Federal Capital City (FCC) would be provided to make movement in the FCC and from the suburbs to the FCC easier for commuters, stressing that mass transit buses and the Abuja Light Rail would be made functional again.Looking at all these promises from the Minister who assumed office exactly a year ago, what are those things he has achieved in just one year.To mark the one year in office of President Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister announced 9 days of inauguration of completed projects in FCT, these projects included inauguration of commercial operation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from the Villa Roundabout to the Ring Road 1 with four number of interchanges as well as the B6 and B12 Circle Road.The FCT Minister also inaugurated in February 2024, Wike inaugurated the resurfacing of 189 roads and remedial work on bridges in Maitama, Garki, and Utako districts, covering 57 kilometers across the three districts.These projects demonstrate the minister’s commitment to improving infrastructure and providing housing in the Federal Capital Territory.The Minister has started the construction of 30 Kilometres roads across the six area councils of the territory, most of the roads have been confirmed to be completed before the end of 2024.Wike has been instrumental in transforming Abuja, through these various development initiatives. Since assuming office, Wike has implemented numerous projects aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing security, and promoting economic growth.This essay will explore Wike’s development initiatives in Abuja, highlighting their impact on the city’s residents and the nation at largeAccording to Wike, prioritizing infrastructure development is because he recognizes its critical role in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for Abuja’s residents.In order to address the scourge of insecurity that reared its head the Minister donated operational vehicles, motorcycles, equipment and accessories to security agencies and vigilantes in FCT.On job creation, the minister’s initiatives have led to job creation in various sectors, including construction, hospitality, and services.Taiwo Aderibigbe, has been living in Abuja for over 20 years and he is the former chairman of Pegi Estate Community Development Association, PECDA, while speaking with Daily Asset, this is first time in 18 years that FCT is seeing remarkable infrastructure development and transformation, although more need to be done especially the decades abandon roads like Pegi-Dafara-Kuje and Apo-Wassa-Kuje roads.He said, “Indeed, it’s been a remarkable year. Chief Wike’s appointment was a masterstroke by President Tinubu, promoting national integration and democracy. For the first time in eighteen years, we’ve seen significant infrastructure development and transformation in the FCT, reminiscent of Mallam Nasir Elrufai’s tenure.”Within his first year, the Minister has increased the FCT’s internally generated revenue, reactivated thriving Area Council projects, and demonstrated political will in strengthening the bureaucracy. He also implemented the long-awaited FCT Civil Service Commission, allowing civil servants to aspire to the peak of their careers. His commitment to grassroots development is evident in his tours of the six Area Councils, interacting with residents, and assuring them of more projects.”The Minister has completed several high-impact projects, including the Wuye/Wuse Interchange Bridge, Constitution road by the USA embassy, Durumi Bridge, and Apo road, among others. These projects have transformed the city center and reduced congestion. No Minister has achieved this much in just one year”He appealed, “While we commend the Minister’s achievements, we urge him to complete decades-long projects like Pegi-Dafara-Kuje and Apo-Wassa-Kuje roads. These projects will reduce traffic gridlock, travel time, and open up more districts for development. We need more people-based infrastructural projects to feel the impact of government at the grassroots”.Even though more needs to be done especially in the area of land grappling, racketeering, and speculation, in the area of development of area councils which has been neglected by the past administration. The people in the area councils need to feel and see the presence of the government. Thank God for the new FCT Minister and Minister of state who are poised to ensure the development of both the satellite towns and the city center.Wike has shown this by the various ongoing projects ongoing in the area councils.In conclusion, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s development initiatives in Abuja have transformed the city, making it a hub for economic growth, infrastructure development, and security. His efforts have improved the quality of life for residents and made Abuja an attractive destination for investors and visitors. As the minister continues to implement his vision, Abuja is poised for even greater growth and development.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 people including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church. The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m on Saturday.Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “the promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”In a related development, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), equally commiserated with the victims of the stampede.The acting Director General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement said that nine out of the 10 injured persons earlier taken to Maitama District Hospital, have been treated and discharged.Mohammed also appealed to organisations that intended to give out food items to the less privileged to involve security agencies or FEMD for adequate planning to ensure safety of beneficiaries.He also advised the use of coupons and segregation of the beneficiaries into groups to avoid crowd and rowdiness that could lead to stampedes.Similarly, the Police Command in the FCT has ordered organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals to notify the police when planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the territory.In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the notification was to enable the police to deploy adequate security measures for public safety.According to her, failure to comply with the directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from negligenceMeanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
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