Wike raises hope on take-off of FCT Science and Tech University

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has said infrastructure and critical facilities required for the take-off of FCT University of Science and Technology, Abaji, are already being developed.

Wike said this while expressing the hope that the university will take off under President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Tuesday.

The Minister gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abaji while thanking residents for supporting Tinubu’s candidates in the Feb. 21 FCT area council elections.

Wike urged residents to remain patient, stressing that Tinubu would ensure the university becomes a reality within his tenure.

“From our conversations, we see how important the university is, not only to Abaji people but to all residents of the FCT.

“It will create jobs and open the Abaji community to further development. I will be glad to be the one to open the university for operations,” he said.

The minister said he visited Abaji to thank residents for fulfilling their promise to support the President.

He stressed the importance of appreciating people who do good deeds.

Describing politics as “a game of give and take”, Wike said the era of empty promises was over.

He said: “This time, leaders must show people they will deliver good governance.

“You cannot promise everything during elections and disappear afterwards without fulfilling those promises.

“We sat with you and asked that you support Tinubu, beginning with the area council elections. The election was held on Feb. 21 and you fulfilled that promise.

“You came out in large numbers and delivered 133 of the 135 polling units in the council to Tinubu.

“What else can we say but thank you? Now you have done your part, we will do ours too. Abaji people have spoken and they have spoken very well.”

Wike described the outgoing Abaji Area Council Chairman, Abubakar Abdullahi, as “a humble leader”.

Following a request by the council chairman, Wike promised to address gully erosion affecting two communities and reactivate a 15-kilometre abandoned road linking two other communities in the area.

The minister also pledged to construct the Gurara Market bridge as requested by a youth in the community.

Wike said he would still support the community even without their political backing, because of Abdullahi’s humility.

Earlier, Abdullahi said Abaji had little Federal Government presence before Wike’s appointment as FCT minister.

“Since your arrival, we have witnessed rapid development and now feel a true sense of belonging within the FCT,” he said.

He added that the ruling All Progressives Congress won all 10 wards in the council due to projects executed by Tinubu through Wike.

(NAN)