By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday challenged professional bodies in Nigeria to focus less on public criticism and more on attracting tangible development to their institutions and members.

Wike spoke in Abuja while hosting delegates of the Body of Benchers led by its Chairman, Albert Akpomudje, during a courtesy visit at his official residence in Life Camp.

The minister said leaders of professional associations should be remembered for projects and reforms they attracted while in office, rather than for frequent appearances on television criticising government.

“What is leadership all about? At the end of your tenure, what will you say is your legacy?” Wike asked.

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

He said successive leaders of the Body of Benchers had demonstrated exemplary leadership by consistently seeking government intervention to improve infrastructure and facilities for the legal profession.

“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 said.

Wike noted that under the current administration, the annex building of the Body of Benchers was nearing completion and would be delivered by June, while the access road around the Nigerian Law School and EFCC Academy corridor was already 98 per cent completed.

He also approved a new request for an access road to the Body of Benchers annex building, directing relevant officials of the FCT Administration to immediately assess and incorporate the project into ongoing works.

The minister used the occasion to criticise what he described as “destructive criticism” by some professional groups, insisting that constructive engagement with government yields better results.

“Constructive criticism is good, but not the kind where nobody sees anything good in what government is doing,” he stated.

He particularly faulted criticisms surrounding government-built houses for judges, arguing that providing infrastructure and welfare support for judicial officers strengthens institutions rather than compromises them.

“If government provides accommodation for judges, people say they are compromised. But when individuals give money to judges, nobody talks about compromise,” Wike said.

According to him, professional associations should devote more energy to identifying gaps in their sectors and partnering government to address them.

“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?” he queried.

Earlier, His Royal Highness Akpomudje commended the FCT Administration for what he described as remarkable infrastructural transformation across Abuja, especially projects benefiting the legal profession.

He said the Body of Benchers was grateful for the completion of its annex building, the ongoing fire service station project and the construction of access roads within the complex.
“Roads are being constructed and upgraded daily both in the city centre and rural areas. Indeed, this is what governance should be,” he said.

Akpomudje added that collaboration among the executive, legislature and judiciary remained essential for strengthening democratic institutions and improving access to justice in Nigeria.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, said his administration has concluded arrangement to shifting its focus toward industrial waste recycling to achieve a more sustainable and consistently clean capital city.

Wike revealed this during an inspection tour of various infrastructure projects in Abuja.

The FCT Minister argued that the current culture of monthly environmental sanitation is insufficient for the long-term needs of a modern city.

He added that the traditional Monthly Sanitation only provides a temporary facelift, it does not solve the root problem of waste accumulation.

​”If you do it on a Saturday, that Saturday is clean.

“But for me, that is not a very major issue. Having a dump site is not enough for you to say that the problem is solved.”

​He emphasized that true waste management is an industrial necessity rather than just a routine business task.

According to the Minister, the goal is to transition from merely collecting refuse to processing it through modern technnologies.

​The Minister disclosed that the FCTA is looking to move beyond the use of landfills and dump sites by establishing specialized factories.

The vision is to turn Abuja’s waste into a resource by creating new products, aligning with global best practices.

​ The FCTA is already receiving and reviewing offers from experts who have successfully implemented these systems in other global cities.

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​In addition to waste management, the Minister provided updates on critical infrastructure projects slated for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third year in office.
​Wike expressed high satisfaction with the Judges’ residences, describing the work by Gilmor as “beautiful” and “99% ready.”

He also inspected the N5 road project, which is 100% complete, and the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division).

​While the Court of Appeal is 90% complete, the Minister was candid about his expectations for quality, ordering the contractor to correct several “errors” before the official commissioning.
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​Addressing recent criticisms regarding the executive’s role in building judicial residences, Wike dismissed claims that such projects erode judicial independence.

He pointed out the irony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticizing government-funded infrastructure while simultaneously accepting government sponsorship for their own activities and conferences.

​”The mere fact that the executive constructs does not mean that that will lead to interference in the judiciary,” Wike stated, reaffirming that providing comfortable housing allows judges to stay focused on their work without compromise.

​The Minister concluded by reiterating that the FCTA remains undeterred and focused on fulfilling its promises to the residents of Abuja through both physical infrastructure and innovative environmental solutions.

××××× Dedicates Award To FCT Residents

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has expressed profound gratitude following her recognition as the Minister of State of the Year at the 6th Edition of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Speaking while receiving the award as Guest of Honour at the prestigious event, Mahmoud described the honour as a reflection of the collective commitment and hard work of the entire Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

The Minister noted that the recognition would further inspire her to continue contributing meaningfully to the development and transformation of the Federal Capital Territory in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She emphasized that leadership remains fundamentally about service, commitment, compassion, and creating opportunities that positively impact citizens.

Mahmoud dedicated the award to the resilient people of the FCT, particularly women, youths, and community leaders whose support and partnership continue to strengthen the administration’s resolve to deliver impactful governance.

According to her, the confidence reposed in the administration serves as a motivating force behind every policy and initiative being pursued.

She also commended the organizers of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards for sustaining a platform that promotes excellence, integrity, innovation, and outstanding public service, stressing that recognizing hard work and dedication is vital to building a culture of accountability and national progress.

The Minister further called on Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, peace, and sustainable development, especially as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.

She expressed optimism that through collective effort and patriotism, Abuja and Nigeria would continue to grow into places future generations would be proud of.