NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Infrastructural development, Nigeria’s foundation for progress – Wike

Infrastructural development, Nigeria’s foundation for progress – Wike

69 total views today

 

By Philip Yatai

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described infrastructure as not merely about roads and bridges, but about connecting destinies, unlocking potentials, and laying groundwork for national transformation.

Wike said this in his 2025 Distinguish Personality Lecture, titled, “Nigeria of our Dreams” presented at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday

According to him, the Nigeria of our dreams cannot materialise without robust infrastructure, one of the pillars upon which people’s aspirations must be built.

“The Nigeria of our dreams is a place where a child in rural Zamfara should access the same quality of education, healthcare, and opportunity as one in urban Lagos.

“It is a nation where seamless transportation, uninterrupted power supply, and digital innovation are not luxuries but essentials, woven into the fabric of everyday life.

“Infrastructure, therefore, is the architecture of equality; it delivers dignity, inclusion, productivity, and hope.”

The minister argued that even the strongest critic of President Bola Tinubu would agree that things were getting better as far as infrastructure was concerned in the country.

Wike equally said that through massive investment in infrastructure, Tinubu had demonstrated a commitment to tackling the inherited complexities of Nigeria’s federation with candour and courage.

“Without infrastructure, development is crippled; with it, progress is not only possible – it is inevitable.

“The road to Nigeria we envision is paved, quite literally, with concrete investment in infrastructure, and with leadership bold enough to see it through.

“The rapid transformation of Abuja is a clear testimony to the President’s dedication to infrastructural revolution in Nigeria.

“It goes without saying that although I drive the process in Abuja, it would not have been possible without the overwhelming and ceaseless support of President Tinubu,” Wike said.

He pointed out that just within two years, Abuja had accelerated its evolution into a befitting modern city and capital of a great nation like Nigeria.

He added that in the journey towards realising the “Nigeria of our dreams”, it was both necessary and noble to acknowledge the efforts of Tinubu through his “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

Wike said that the renewed hope agenda was not just a mantra, but a bold recalibration of national priorities aimed at repositioning Nigeria on the path of sustainable development.

He identified other pillars upon which the Nigerians aspirations would be fulfilled as democracy and good governance, rule of law, quality education, health and human development, and economic prosperity and inclusive growth.

Others the minister said include security and national cohesion, unity in diversity, cultural renaissance and moral rebirth, and strengthening local government and community resilience.

On democracy and good governance, Wike envisaged a thriving democratic culture that transcends periodic elections and manifests in everyday accountability, transparency, and active citizen participation.

He added that democracy and good governance were dreams rooted in the belief that leadership must be anchored on competence, integrity, and a genuine spirit of service.

“In this vision, public office is not a privilege to be exploited, but a sacred trust to be honoured, a platform for transformation, not self-enrichment.

“Good governance is the engine that drives this dream, ensuring that institutions function efficiently and equitably, and that the government remains responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.

“As we reflect on this noble ideal, let us be reminded that democracy, though the best form of government, is perhaps the most challenging to establish on firm footing and even more difficult to sustain,” he said.

The minister further said that democracy was not a potted plant that could simply be transported into any soil and expected to flourish without commitment, sacrifice, and vigilance.

He agreed with Larry Diamond, a professor of political science and sociology at Stanford, who argues that “it is one thing to get democracy and another thing, often more difficult, to keep it.”

“The Nigerian dream, therefore, calls us not just to wish for democracy, but to work for it – to build it daily through responsible leadership, engaged citizenship, and unyielding commitment to justice and equity,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Wike, a pragmatic, result-driven public servant – OAU VC

Wike, a pragmatic, result-driven public servant – OAU VC

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By Philip Yatai

Prof. Adebayo Bamire, Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, as a pragmatic and result-driven public servant.

Bamire spoke during the university’s 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture titled, “Nigeria of our Dreams,” delivered by Wike in Ile-Ife, on Thursday.

He said that as a former minister of education, former governor of Rivers and currently the minister of the FCT, Wike had distinguished himself through bold urban renewal initiatives.

He added that the minister had accelerated infrastructure development and had taken actions to restore order and dignity to Nigeria’s capital.

“His commitment to service delivery, political courage and uncompromising leadership style are undeniable attributes that have earned nationwide recognition.

“Whether in governance, policy execution, or institutional reform, he exemplifies the kind of purposeful leadership needed to move Nigeria forward.

“We have heard, seen, and tasted the transformative work Wike is accomplishing in the FCT, – beautiful and quality road networks.

“We will love to experience and taste such an impact here at OAU,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said that the theme of the lecture, ‘’Nigeria of our Dream” was timely and thought-provoking.

“At a critical juncture when our nation’s democratic journey, when the challenges of governance, civic trust, and equitable development are at the forefront of public discourse, this lecture offers a vital platform for reflection, engagement and forward thinking.

“It calls us to interrogate the structures that uphold democracy, the principles that guide responsible governance, citizenship and the strategies that can unlock Nigeria’s development potential,” Bamire said

Also, the university Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, said the distinguished personality lecture was the institution’s first since its establishment in 1961.

Oyeweso said that Wike was chosen to inaugurate the maiden edition of the lecture because of his commitment to the noble ideals of good governance.

Describing Wike as “the man that knows how to collect debt from debtors”, the pro-chancellor said that the lecture was to celebrate his accomplishments in the political space and his impact on people’s lives.

“In no distant time from now, people will be studying Wike’s brand of politics as a distinguished Nigerian,” he said.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who welcomed the minister to Ife, said that Wike was one politician that needed to be studied.

Ogunwusi commended President Bola Tinubu for giving Wike the opportunity to serve his country, without minding his political party. (NAN) 

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Only Tinubu can lead us to Nigeria of our dreams – Wike 

Only Tinubu can lead us to Nigeria of our dreams – Wike 

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the country needs leaders like President Bola Tinubu to achieve the “Nigeria of our dreams”.

Wike said this in his 2025 Distinguish Personality Lecture, titled, “The Nigeria of our Dreams” presented at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday.

Wike pointed out that the greatest challenge confronting Nigeria and  militating against its development was the plague of bad leadership.

He agreed with Chinua Achebe, whose seminar, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’, graphically captured the challenge, when he stated that ‘the trouble with Nigeria is fairly and squarely the absence of proper leadership’.

“This statement, damaging as it may appear, is extremely difficult to controvert.

“Our leaders have, in the main, emerged through self-serving conspiracies that have little or nothing to do with national interests and development.

“This has been the case in both military and civilian contexts,” he said.

He, however, said that Tinubu had stood out as the leader the people needed to drive Nigeria to progress and prosperity.

He explained that Nigeria needs a leader that was prepared to lead with sound character and resilience in the face of challenges.

He added that the leader must also be a person who believed in the infinite possibilities that the Nigerian nation exemplifies, while taking solid, proactive, logical and well-informed decisions that would maximally actualise her potential.

This leader, he said, must have the courage and audacity to act, build, innovate and generally expand the frontiers of development with a hands-on approach that would emphasise excellence over mediocrity.

He added that more importantly, the leader of Nigerians’ dream must create a society of free and responsible citizens whose potentials flowed freely and free enterprise thrived.

“Let me make bold at this juncture to state that today, in our country, we have such a leader in the person of Tinubu.

“He has shown in several ways and at different times, a stout commitment to the enthronement of democracy in our country, to the extent of even putting his own life on the line in the process.

“He has shown great capacity for engendering development as captured in the unprecedented rapid and exponential development of Lagos state under his watch and even beyond,” he added.

He also said that Tinubu had demonstrated a rare courage by removing fuel subsidy on his first day, upon being sworn in as President.

According to him, leaders before him all spoke about the evil of fuel subsidy, but none had the courage to dare the blackmail of removing it.

“Tinubu did and is fittingly grappling with the inevitable, unintended and sometimes orchestrated consequences of this removal.

“Today, our states have far more resources to develop, the debts are no longer piling and the price of petrol is gradually but steadily adjusting downwards in tandem with the forces of demand and supply and the strict implementation of regulatory conditionalities.

“Also, the overwhelming cry of over-centralisation of power and resources at the national level and the attendant abuse of the doctrine of federalism is being systematically addressed.

“This is being addressed through the creation of zonal/regional commissions empowered to devolve developmental impetus to the respective zones and regions, so that power can truly return to the people.”

On security, Wike said that the situation was being addressed through proper funding and the training and retraining of security forces.

The minister added that Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of forest guards across the country to take charge of the nation’s forests, bandits and terrorists would no longer find incubation points and free territories to operate.

“Put simply, the era of banditry and terrorism will soon come to an end.

“These and many other policies and measures are being put together by Tinubu to reposition our country on the path of progress and development,” Wike said.

Earlier, Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, described Wike as a straightforward politician, adding that his wealth of political experience and leadership style was exemplary.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, the governor said that the minister’s infrastructural transformation in the FCT was visionary.

Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Adebayo Bamire, said that the theme of the lecture, ‘’Nigeria of our Dream” was timely and thought-provoking.

“At a critical juncture when our nation’s democratic journey, when the challenges of governance, civic trust, and equitable development are at the forefront of public discourse, this lecture offers a vital platform for reflection, engagement and forward thinking.

“It calls us to interrogate the structures that uphold democracy, the principles that guide responsible governance, citizenship and the strategies that can unlock Nigeria’s development potential,” he said.

The Royal Father of the Day, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said he has deep respect for Wike because of his fearlessness.

He described the minister as an “upright politician” who “said things as they are.

“Hate him; like him – what will be will be.” (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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