SALLAH HOMAGE: PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMENDS FCT MINISTER FOR INNOVATION IN GOVERNANCE
…CALLS FOR UNITY IN DIVERSITY
L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris during the Sallah homage by FCT residents to the President at the Aso Rock Villa on Sunday.
1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for injecting progressive ideas and innovations in the administration of the FCT, which he said has translated into better living conditions for the citizenry.
2. The President made this commendation when he received a delegation of FCT residents on a Sallah visit to him at the Presidential Villa on Sunday, 30th March 2025 in commemoration of the Eid el Fitri celebrations.
3. Recalling the genesis of the innovations injected into the FCT bureaucracy, the President said “When we started, he (Wike) came up with a lot of good ideas to liberate the bureaucracy, bring forward-looking, progressive thinking to the administration, and giving the opportunity to many of you that would have still been hindered
4. “The independent civil service commission solution and all of that that we discussed gives opportunity for upward mobility and promotions that are consistent with the civil service structure, the Area Council structure, and the indiscriminate development in the face of dwindling resources. I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said ‘Please, take us out of this problem of TSA, so that I can do more work, and I achieve more”.
5. Upon giving his assent to the requests by the FCT Minister, the President said “Things started changing rapidly, and I started looking at the opening up of the rural areas, of abandoned projects, and the residence of the Vice President that has been abandoned for years came alive. The health centers were being rehabilitated. The health facilities of the residents of FCT are being upgraded. Our teachers at school are being rehabilitated, buildings are furnished. Thank you Wike.
6. Continuing, President Tinubu said “We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouth to even celebrate, if not, because of the progressive ideas you have given. Today, we are living in peace and security is improving. There is satisfaction in our output. The hunger is coming down. Food prices lowering. We are able to go to the market and do business”.
7. He also called on Nigerians to embrace unity in diversity saying that the FCT Minister has been able to exploit this and add value to governance.
8. The President said “ …And our people. They are looking for results. They are looking for comfort. They are praying for good health. They are looking for somebody with heart. It is not about me, it’s about every one of us, and the diversity of Nigeria is being proved by Nyesom Wike.
9. “Strengthen that diversity to develop prosperity, seeing that we are all members of one family living together in the same house but we are staying in different rooms. We belong to one family of hope and belief in Nigeria.”
10. The President also called on Nigerians to care for the less privileged members of society to build a more prosperous and harmonious society.
11. In the words of the President, “ All I need to ask you for is the tolerance that got us together. We heard the lessons of Ramadan. We must continue to abide by that. We must continue to share. We must continue to remember the less privileged people, the orphanage, the widows, the have-nots, believing that we can share both in joy and in times of need.
12. In his remarks, the FCT Minister congratulated the President and the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of Ramadan and said the residents of the FCT were very delighted to pay the traditional homage visit to the President in person for the first time.
13. Praying for the good health of President Tinubu and his family, the Minister said “ In the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, and the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr, we pray for your good health, that of the First Lady, and your entire family. May Almighty Allah bless you with wisdom, strength, and divine guidance as you steadily lead the affairs of our dear country towards greatness.
14. Barrister wike also affirmed the unwavering loyalty and support of FCT residents to the Renewed Hope Agenda and pledged their cooperation to ensure its success.
15. Speaking on the delegation to the Villa the Minister said that though they were from different backgrounds covering all the spectra of the FCT society they were united in their support for the government.
16. He said” Mr. President, the delegation before you today is a reflection of the rich diversity of the Federal Capital Territory. It comprises representatives from all spectra of the nation’s capital, including religious, political, and traditional leaders, heads of security agencies, officials of the FCT Administration, members of the media, and ordinary residents
17. “Despite our different backgrounds, we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This unity demonstrates the collective commitment of the people of the FCT to national progress and development under your visionary leadership.
18. He also thanked President Tinubu for the approval granted the FCTA for administrative changes which he said have enhanced the efficiency of the FCTA and positioned it to achieve greater milestones.
19. He recalled the support of President Tinubu during the first year anniversary of his administration by physically commissioning 5 of the 9 projects commissioned .
20. He said “ We still have not forgotten the unprecedented support you granted us last year during your first anniversary by being physically present in five out of the nine projects commissioned to commemorate the occasion.
21. He expressed his excitement on the array of projects slated for commissioning during the upcoming second anniversary of the Administration and the presence of President Tinubu at the events.
22. President Tinubu was presented with a giant Sallah card by the FCT Minister and was assisted by Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Information Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR OF PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE MINISTER)
FCTA/ODP/PR/664
30/03/2025