What the FCT needs
In addition to this international dimension, one should not forget the unique status of Abuja as the centre of unity for Nigerians of different backgrounds, ethnic groups, religion and social status. In fact, Abuja is a melting pot of sorts where people of diverse backgrounds and aspiration converge together. But with this importance comes a […]
In addition to this international dimension, one should not forget the unique status of Abuja as the centre of unity for Nigerians of different backgrounds, ethnic groups, religion and social status. In fact, Abuja is a melting pot of sorts where people of diverse backgrounds and aspiration converge together. But with this importance comes a challenge. This challenge is in providing the FCT with the kind of leadership that would ensure its growth and sustenance; a leadership that would be able to harness the vast potential of youthful energy in abundance and harness it for the good of the country.
There is another dimension to this. Abuja should be provided with the kind of leadership that is visionary, a leadership that will take Abuja to greater heights and be able to implement sustainable development goals for the city in line with its status as the federal capital of Africa’s most populous country. Of course, the FCT has had several ministers in the past that had in their different ways tried to implement their visions for the development of the federal capital city, its local governments and the satellite towns surrounding it. Most of them have left several challenges unresolved though. But at the risk of sounding immodest, I will like to state that the past one and a half years have been landmark years for the FCT. These were the years when Senator Bala Mohammed was made the minister of the FCT. I single out his era because it is within this short span of time that the idea of developing the FCT assume a more holistic dimension.
Practically no area of development, infrastructural, human and social was left out. Obviously, this is because for once, there is a leadership that is alive to the aspirations of the people of the country. And not only that, the leadership is committed to making a difference and leaving the FCT in a better position than it has met it. Basically, what I see as its strategy is its ability to marry all the important infrastructural, human and social needs of the FCT together by ensuring no area is left out of its radar. Today as I write, all corners of the FCT have one major infrastructural development going on, be it road construction, water supply, access to better health and improved security.
Many residents of Abuja will attest to this change in so short a time. In the past, Abuja government hospitals used to be shunned for private hospitals. But it is not the case now as the hospitals continue to record such high number of patients who daily visit the hospital to take care of one ailment or the other. Not only that, all the important immunizations and community health services have been up and doing since Sen. Muhammed came on board.
This can only happen with an administration that has made human development one of the cornerstones of its programmes. This development has extended to the youths who have been provided with opportunities to develop, both educationally and socially. One will appreciate this fact when you take into cognizance that since the past few months where various states in Nigeria have been witnessing one political violence or the other, the youths in the FCT have not joined the ugly fray. They had remained calm and law abiding in most instances, going about the business of electing their officials peaceably. But this is not a surprise considering the pedigree of the man in the helm of the leadership of the FCT who happens to be a seasoned politician whose contribution to the growth of his party, PDP, cannot be quantified.
It is such commitment that Nigerians require from its leadership at all levels today. A commitment that is aware of the responsibility it owes the people. Having said this, I and the many admirers of this change that is happening before our very eyes hope the current leadership will be allowed to endure for many more years to come now that the ruling party has once again been able to retain power, so that it can continue with the laudable programmes it has been churning out to the people of the FCT. As a matter of fact, allowing this development to go on uninterrupted is one of the best services that President Goodluck Jonathan can render to the people of Abuja and Nigeria at large.
Who doesn’t like a good thing? It is a human quality. It is our prayers that Nigeria should continue to enjoy more of good things from those who have been imbued with purpose and vision for the development of our dear country. We can never afford to lose hope.
Suleiman Saidu (Mandetown) is chairman of WOWO, Zone 2, Abuja