President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was quite elated on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, as he commissioned the fifth project executed by the FCT Administration as part of activities to commemorate his one year in office.

The Project commissioned by the President is the Full Scope Development of the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway within the Federal Capital City, FCT, which he named Wole Soyinka Way.

The President, who said his heart was filled with joy and pride, commended the FCT Minister and his team for their hard work and dedication to the development of the Territory.

President Tinubu, who stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure to sustain the growth of the FCT, said the Minister and his team were doing a great job of increasing the value of the nation’s capital.

While describing Wike as an inspiration to many, the President commended him for proposing to name the Arterial Road N20 to the Wole Soyinka Way as a mark of respect for the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who is also an inspiration to many across the world.

The President said the distinguished Poet, playwright, and novelist, who was the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize, has brought honour to Nigeria and thanked the FCT Minister for thinking in that direction.

According to President Tinubu, “Your recommendation to name this road as Wole Soyinka Way is well received. He is our foremost playwright, novelist, and Nobel prize winner, who has brought Nigeria a pride of international acclaim.

“Thank you for thinking that way. We all accept your recommendation on behalf of the people and the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

President Tinubu also commended Barr. Wike and his team in the FCT for completing the very vital road project with its underground system of waste water and fiber optic ducts and many other facilities, saying that the FCT Minister has brought great value and economic prosperity to the nation’s capital and its people.

President Tinubu, who revealed that he was advised against appointing Barr. Wike into his cabinet, noted that the FCT Minister has been an inspiration to many people with his excellent performance in the FCT.

He said, “To Hon. Minister of FCT and his entire team, my presence here is to say thank you very much for giving this government a very successful first year landing.

“You inspired so many people and the acronym WIW – Wike is Working is resonating with all of us."

Speaking further, the President said, “My heart is full of joy, full of pride because they thought you, Wike, will not perform. I heard that from several quarters. I made my choice. You didn’t let me and the country down. You worked day and night, creatively thinking and doing.

“The reform you recommended was accepted by me. People are benefitting. You are proud to bring them out as Permanent Secretaries and Civil Servants. The jobs you are creating during these activities are extremely encouraging.

“I said in Lagos during the flag off of the coastal road, then it was my bragging time. Today again, I can brag”.

In his address, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, disclosed that the contract for the construction of the Arterial Road N20 was awarded in 2020 at the cost of N30.6 billion, adding that the completion of the road project has brought relief to the residents of the FCT.

Barr. Wike stated that the proposal to dedicate the road to Prof. Wole Soyinka is rooted in the importance of honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to progress and development during their lifetime, thus setting an example for others.

The Minister also thanked the contractor for ensuring the timely completion of the road project.

In her remarks, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud also thanked President Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly and members of the Federal Executive Council for their support to the FCT Administration.

The Minister of State also extended appreciation to other stakeholders, including the FCDA engineers and the construction team, who contributed their expertise to make the Arterial Road N20 a reality.

She said the construction of the Arterial in the FCT has created a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation network that benefits everyone in the capital city.

Providing an overview of the project, the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, also disclosed that the Arterial Road N20 serves as a vital pathway and conduit for a network of engineering infrastructure from the primary sources to the various adjoining Districts in the FCT.

He added that the full scope development of the Arterial Road N20 stretches from the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) or the Murtala Mohammed expressway to the Airport Expressway, but noted that the segment of the road that was being commissioned was the development of the road from the ONEX up to the Northern Parkway.