Wike to professional bodies: Ditch TV rants, deliver real

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike yesterday challenged Nigeria’s professional associations to swap endless government criticisms for concrete projects that uplift their members—instead of chasing TV fame.

He spoke when he hosted the Body of Benchers delegation led by its Chairman, Albert Akpomudje, at his Life Camp residence in Abuja, where he charged leaders to build lasting legacies. “What is leadership all about? At the end of your tenure, what will you say is your legacy?” he asked.

“You cannot occupy a position and all you do is criticise government everyday. People will ask you: while you had the opportunity, what did you do for your profession?”

Wike praised past Body of Benchers chairs for securing upgrades, spotlighting the nearing completion of their annex building—set for June handover—and a 98 per cent completed access road linking the Nigerian Law School and Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Academy. He instantly okayed a new road to the annex, ordering FCT officials to assess and integrate it immediately.

Dismissing “destructive criticism,” Wike championed partnerships over potshots. “Constructive criticism is good, but not the kind where nobody sees anything good in what government is doing,” he said.

He slammed hypocrisy over judge housing: “If government provides accommodation for judges, people say they are compromised. But when the NBA goes about seeking support from government, nobody talks about compromise.”

Professional heads, he insisted, must prioritise gaps and gains. “If you are president of an association and all you do is attend television programmes to criticise government, that is not enough. What did you attract for your members? What did you improve?” Wike queried.

Wike hailed the visitors as exemplars. “You are not the first chairman of the Body of Benchers, but you came with requests that will improve the institution and open up the area for everybody. That is leadership,” he affirmed.

Akpomudje hailed the FCT’s transformation. “Roads are being constructed and upgraded daily both in the city centre and rural areas. Indeed, this is what governance should be,” he enthused, thanking him for the annex, fire station and roads.

He stressed that inter-arm collaboration is essential for boosting democracy and justice access.