Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike: A man of vision and strategy

 

FAVOUR ISHEMBER

 

Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a distinguished Nigerian politician and lawyer who has made significant contributions to the development of his country. With an impressive track record of public service, Wike has held various prominent positions throughout his career.

Having previously served as the Federal Minister of State for Education, Wike demonstrated his commitment to the improvement of the Nigerian educational system. His leadership and strategic initiatives during his tenure contributed to positive transformations in the sector.

Wike further solidified his reputation as a capable leader during his two-term tenure as the Governor of River State. He embarked on an ambitious agenda, undertaking numerous infrastructural projects that have left an indelible mark on the state. His commitment to development and his exemplary governance set a high standard for future leaders.

Recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Minister of FCT, breath fresh hope for the Nigerian Capital City.

One of the factors that make the FCT different from the states is the fact that it is the only territory in Nigeria that is equilaterally owned by all Nigerians, irrespective of their geographical or social backgrounds. This is by virtue of a clear and unambiguous constitutional provision vesting the ownership of the entire 8,000 square kilometre of the FCT in the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Chapter 8, Part 1, Section 297 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that “(1) There shall be a Federal Capital Territory, Abuja the boundaries of which are as defined in Part II of the First Schedule of this Constitution.

When Mr Mobolaji Ajose Adeogun from Isale-Eko, Lagos State who served as the Administrative Secretary of the newly created Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) between 1976 and 1979, was handing over to his successor, he certainly had no premonition whatsoever that there would be no other minister of the FCT from his own section of the country for the remaining 44 years of his life.

After Adeogun, 15 persons were appointed substantive ministers of FCT under civilian and military administrations between 1979 and 2023. Mr John Jatau Kadiya, from Plateau State, who served between 1979 and 1982; Mr Iro Abubakar Dan Musa from Katsina State (1982-1983); and Mr Haliru Dantoro, who later became the Emir of Borgu in Niger State (serving from October 1983 to December, 1983) were appointed ministers of the FCT by President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic.

During the military regimes of Muhammadu Buhari, a Major-General; Ibrahim Babangida, a General; Sani Abacha, a General; and Abdulsalam Abubakar, a Lt-General, the following persons were appointed as FCT minister: Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a Major-General and poet from Niger State (1984-1985); and Hamza Abdullahi, a Major-General from Jigawa State (1986-1989). Also, Muhammad Gado Nasko, a Major-General from Sokoto State (1989-1993); Jeremiah Timbut Useni, a Lt General from Plateau State (1993-1998); and Mamman Tsofo Kontagora, a retired Major-General from Niger State (1998-1999).

Under the current democratic dispensation, those appointed as FCT minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo have included Mr Ibrahim Bunu, an architect from Borno State (1999-2001); Mr. Muhammed Abba Gana, an electrical engineer also from Borno State (2001-2003); and Mr. Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, a quantity surveyor from Kaduna State (2003-2007).

Obasanjo’s successor, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed Dr Aliyu Umar Modibbo, a university lecturer from Gombe State (2007–2008) and Mr Muhammad Adamu Aliero, a former governor of Kebbi State (2008-2010), while Mr Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, a former senator and the incumbent governor of Bauchi State (2010-2015) was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The longest serving of them all and the immediate past FCT minister, Mr Muhammad Musa Bello, an ex-banker from Adamawa State (2015-2023) was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

the FCT ministerial portfolio had been in the hands of appointees from a section of the country for so long, to the extent that it was almost becoming the normative culture that only persons from that part of the country could be appointed to the position. It took President Tinubu’s will power to break that unhealthy jinx by appointing Wike as the FCT Minister. By that singular action, he has exterminated the assumption that the FCT Ministerial seat is the birthright of a particular section of the country

Therefore, the coming of Barr Wike, whose track record in administrative competence, bold and courageous leadership was a prayer answered by true patriots. His job has been well cut out for him, and he has been more than equal to the task.

With a patriotic aggression and zeal, the Honourable Minister who is also known as Mr. Projects, has begun to address the many issues of infrastructural challenges.

In doing this, he has inaugurated very important projects, reviewing and re-addressing ongoing ones with a view to getting the best results speedily and cost-effectively.

Wike has wasted no time in proving his competence and dedication to the job. One of his earliest accomplishments was resolving a longstanding crisis between the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development over land allocation for the second Abuja Airport Runway.

In a short span of time, Wike has also demonstrated his decisiveness and efficiency by appointing and inaugurating mandate secretaries. Additionally, he initiated the rehabilitation and resurfacing of 135 roads within the Federal Capital City, a significant undertaking that will greatly enhance transportation infrastructure.

Abuja is also generally wearing a better look with the removal of many illegal structures, particularly within the city centre. The city is looking cleaner and the menace of movement of cattle across the city centre has drastically reduced if not completely stopped. It is our hope that by the time he concludes his engagement with herders, open grazing will end in the FCT. This will be a major achievement.

Moreover, Wike successfully facilitated the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account of the federal government. This achievement has granted the territory greater autonomy over its resources, fostering local development and prosperity.

Recognizing the importance of a competent civil service, Wike established the FCT Civil Service Commission. This move ensures career progression for civil servants, promoting professionalism and efficiency within the FCT administration, a step others has for many years failed to take. He noted that implementing the establishment of the Commission will further serve as catalyst for the promotion of improved welfare as he prepares to carry out more reforms in the civil service.

The former governor said he was disappointed when he learnt that staff of the Administration, particularly those at Director cadre could not rise to the apex of their careers as is obtainable in others states.

In his words:”Let me tell you, from now till next week, I will implement it, because if I can grow in my career to this level, why should we be a hindrance to other people’s growth?
Who will be happy in life if he cannot attain to the highest peak of his or her career? If I am a judge, I want to reach supreme Court. If I am a civil servant, I want to reach the Permanent Secretary level.

“I’m sure that all of you have lost hope. I told Mr. President, “you said, it is the renewed hope agenda. This people have lost hope, renew their hope. Tell them that everything is not lost and the only way you can have assure them, is by making them grow to the apex of their career. And Mr. President said, I’m not aware of this. Now that I am aware, I will be bring back the hope of the civil servants of the FCT.

“He immediately approved that, we should implement the 2018 law as passed by the National Assembly.”

In a similar vein, he inaugurated the first Secretariat for Women Affairs in the FCT, demonstrating his commitment to gender equality and empowerment.

Wike, had on October 13th, announced that President Ahmed Tinubu, had given approval for the establishment of a Women Affairs Secretariat, taking the number of Secretariat in the FCT Administration to 8.

Wike said the newly established Secretariat is aimed at giving women in the FCT a sense of belonging and also carry them along in the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President.

In his unwavering pursuit of progress, Wike has also directed the implementation of the 2015 FCT-IRS Act on Personal Income Tax and Tax Clearance Certificate. By doing so, he has established a robust taxation system that will contribute to the sustainable growth and development of the FCT.

Barr Nyesom Wike has mandated through the Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat, FCT, Mr Chinedum Elechi, the demand and verification of Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) as a pre-condition for business transactions in the federal capital, Abuja. As announce that the Minister of the FCT, has approved the implementation of Section 85 of Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) and Section 31 of the FCT Internal Revenue Service Act, 2015.

Both Sections provide for demand and verification of TCC by the Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Commercial banks; and FCT Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs).

Implementation of these laws is intended to ensure that all eligible taxpayers in the FCT comply with their tax obligations.

This will ensure that the FCT Administration gets the required resources it needs to provide essential services to FCT residents,” he said.

Elechi explained to Media men that Section 85 of the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011, provides that MDAs or a commercial bank demand for TCC when transacting with any person as specified by the law.

He added that the TCC would cover the immediate past three years preceding the current year of assessment.

He further said MDAs or commercial banks shall also verify the authenticity of the tax clearance certificate by the issuing tax authority before carrying out any of the transactions.

Section 85 of PITA also provides that for purposes of obtaining a TCC, any person who gives incorrect information or obtains a TCC through misrepresentation, forgery or falsification is guilty of an offence.

Such a person is liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000, plus twice the tax payable by him or her, or to imprisonment for three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Similarly, a person, be it a government organisation or corporate entity to whom Section 85 applies, who fails to demand for, or verify a TCC, is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million, or to imprisonment for three years or both fine and imprisonment.

The mandate secretary added that Section 31 of the FCT – IRS Act equally made TCC a pre-condition for transacting any business in the FCT.

He identified some of the transactions that require a TCC as property transactions, certificate of occupancy, registration as a contractor, awards of contracts, and building plan approval.

Others are government license or permit, application relating to the establishment or conduct of business, FCTA housing loan, motor vehicle registration, registration of distributorship and confirmation of membership of any public board.

Other affected transactions include registration of a limited partnership, application for market stalls, and appointment or election into public office among others.

Consequently, he said all MDAs, commercial banks and SDAs were required to demand and verify TCC from all taxpayers before providing them with any services.

Addressing the concerns of the FCT residents, Wike took steps to rehabilitate street lights, illuminating substantial areas of the territory at night. In addition, he prioritized the security of lives and property in the FCT, implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.

Traffic Lights are important road infrastructure that allow traffic to move in the correct direction.

A functional traffic light will prevent traffic congestion from arising, and help people to stay safe on the roads.

Most traffic lights in the territory are now functioning optimally since the arrival of the new FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom WIKE.

Traffic lights apart from enhancing seamless movement, minimizes accidents and less insurance claims when drivers obey the traffic rules.

Abuja city center has about 96 traffic light junctions already in existence, while 98 others are currently being installed across the City Center and some satellite towns, being an intervention project from Chinese Government.

The uniqueness of the FCT traffic lights installation is that, it has an in- built red camera that can detect how many times a particular vehicle violates the traffic rules when activated.

The Abuja residents have continue to commended chief WIKE for keeping the FCTA officials on their toes to do their jobs, with a call to FCTA Transportation Secretariat to expedite action in the installation of the traffic lights in other areas yet to be completed.

Further showcasing his commitment to infrastructural development, Wike secured presidential approval to construct five kilometers of roads in each of the six Area Councils. This ambitious endeavor will improve accessibility and connectivity, fostering greater socioeconomic development.

Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike’s outstanding leadership and tireless dedication to public service have positioned him as a beacon of progress and development in Nigeria. With his stellar achievements and visionary initiatives, Wike continues to create a lasting legacy of transformation and prosperity in the FCT.

judging by Wike’s antecedents, particularly from his scorecard as the governor of Rivers State, he can be described as a project-oriented leader, and probably the kind of administrator that Abuja needs at a time like this.

Barr. Wike radiates the impression of a no-nonsense and strong-willed leader. He may be of the genre of ministers required to rein in the flaws and gaps in the FCT bureaucracy, while also curtailing the reign of impunity by some residents and private sector operators who are adroit at circumventing guidelines and rules in the FCT. He would need to grow the requisite third eye to identify some committed civil servants who will offer genuine advice and guide, for him to push through his key programmes.

In a certain way, Wike’s appointment automatically transmitted positive signals for the FCT and the socio-political health of the country at large. Abuja being a successor to Lagos as Nigeria’s capital was envisioned to serve as an authentic symbol of Nigeria’s aspiration for unity and greatness. That is why whatever happens there, has a way of rippling down the country.