President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday showered praises on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, declaring that he has once again proved himself “a true driver of the Renewed Hope Agenda” following the commissioning of the remodeled Abuja City Gate.
The President, represented by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the colourful ceremony in Abuja, said Wike’s bold infrastructural interventions have transformed the nation’s capital and made it a city Nigerians can proudly call their own.
“When you share a vision with a man of action, you see results. Minister Wike, you have proven once again to be a true driver of the Renewed Hope Agenda. I say well done,” Tinubu said.
He commended Wike for giving the iconic City Gate a new look, describing the monument as a symbol of Nigeria’s unity and national identity.
According to the President, the project could not have come at a better time as it coincides with the third anniversary of his administration and the 50th anniversary of the Federal Capital Territory.
“There is no better time than this historic anniversary to remodel the Abuja City Gate, an iconic landmark that stands as a symbol of our national identity and serves as the gateway to our nation’s capital,” he said.
Tinubu noted that Abuja, as Nigeria’s diplomatic and administrative headquarters, deserves a befitting entrance that leaves visitors with a positive first impression.
“This newly remodeled Abuja City Gate, with its beautiful water fountain representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, tells every visitor arriving from the airport that they have entered a city built on unity, diversity and shared aspirations,” he added.
The President also applauded the ongoing road construction, expansion of public spaces and other infrastructure projects across the FCT, saying they are repositioning Abuja as a modern capital city comparable to the best in the world.
He urged residents to protect the remodeled monument, stressing that public infrastructure belongs to all Nigerians.
Earlier, the FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike disclosed that the project was conceived after President Tinubu challenged him to transform the neglected entrance into the nation’s capital.
According to the minister, the First Lady questioned why Abuja’s City Gate had remained unimpressive despite being the first landmark seen by visitors entering the capital.
“Your Excellency, this is your brainchild,” Wike said.
“You called me and asked, ‘Minister, have you not been travelling? Is this how other city gates look? Is there no way you can beautify this place so that anybody coming to Abuja will know he is entering the capital city of a country?’ I said, ‘No problem, I will do it.'”
Wike said he immediately mobilised officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority and construction giant Julius Berger to produce a befitting design, adding that he mounted pressure on the contractor to complete the project in time for the President’s third anniversary.
He revealed that persistent rainfall on Thursday almost disrupted the commissioning but insisted there was no going back.
“Since late last night it has been raining. This morning it started raining again. I said whatever happens, we must commission this City Gate today,” he said.
The FCT minister said although the project appears simple on the surface, enormous engineering work was carried out beneath the ground to achieve the spectacular result.
“You have come here now and it looks simple. It is not simple. If you know what they have put underground, you will marvel,” he said, expressing confidence that Nigerians would appreciate the beauty of the new water fountain and lighting system.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the remodeled City Gate as a powerful symbol of the Renewed Hope transformation taking place across Abuja.
She praised President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and Wike for restoring the prestige, beauty and functionality of the nation’s capital through massive infrastructure renewal.
Mahmoud also commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her compassionate leadership and unwavering support for programmes that improve the lives of Nigerians, noting that her presence added dignity and national significance to the event.
