By Philip Yatai
Former Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo says the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has raised the governance bar through remarkable infrastructural development in the nation’s capital.
Yobo made the remarks while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Abuja City Walk Sales Office and Experience Centre, in Abuja on Thursday.
The former international footballer pointed out that the essence of governance was to provide infrastructure and drive development that would make life meaningful for the people.
“That is what Wike has done. He’s inaugurating projects for 31 days. This is unprecedented.
“You know, we don’t really see our leaders do such a thing, so he is one of the shining lights of this administration.
“People should emulate that, because when you do things like this; when you bring development to the people, then the people are happy,” he said.
The former Eagles’ defender from Rivers, recalled how Wike was nicknamed ‘Mr Project’ following the massive landmark project he was executing in the state as the governor.
He pointed out that like in Rivers, most of the projects being inaugurated in the FCT which he attended were landmark projects.
“They are not just ordinary projects that people just do. You can see people coming here to associate and celebrate him. I think that’s a testament of his performance.
“So, I think he has done very well, and is worthy of emulation,” he said.
The international player said he joined millions of Nigerians to witness the landmark projects Wike was inaugurating in the FCT and to celebrate him.
He described the FCT minister as a “sports-loving person” saying, “I don’t really know the ideas and plans that he has for sports in FCT, but definitely I know that he will put something in place.
“He received an award as a pillar of sports when he was the governor of Rivers. So, I’m sure he’s going to replicate that here in the FCT because he loves sports so much.
“I recalled some days ago he did talk about the Super Eagles not qualifying for the World Cup and he was very passionate about it. So that’s the kind of person that he is,” he said.
Speaking on whether he is considering joining politics, Yobo said: “You never can tell what will happen. The future is always in God’s hands.
“I am a sports person, but of course, I have lived most of my life abroad. I have been a captain of Nigeria; I have been a leader before. You just never know what the future holds.
“I am also interested in politics because I think politics is part of life.
“But like I said, he was my former governor. You can testify that there’s been a lot of change and a lot of improvements since he became the FCT minister,” he said.
Yobo encouraged the minister not to stop in delivering on the good work he is doing in the FCT. (NAN)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi