By Like Wole Soyinka, President Tinubu Names Abuja Road After Chinua Achebe
President Bola Tinubu has named the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District, Abuja after renowned novelist, Chinua Achebe. This was announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, and Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada.
This move follows a similar honor bestowed upon another Nigerian literary giant, Wole Soyinka, who had a road named after him in Abuja recently. Both decisions demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating Nigeria’s rich literary heritage.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Commissions the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District of Abuja. Names road after Nigerian Novelist and Poet, late Professor Chinua Achebe,” Dada tweeted on Saturday.
According to Ngelale, President Tinubu made the remarks at the inauguration of engineering infrastructure in Guzape District Lot II in Abuja on Saturday. The President commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for providing exceptional leadership at a trying time for the country.
“Minister Nyesom Wike has provided exceptional leadership at a trying time for the country. It has been a very challenging time for us in the country. We are still retooling and rejigging our financial system to bring prosperity and relief to the people of this country,” Tinubu said.
The President continued, “You have demonstrated the capacity to build a team, lead a team, and deliver on promises. I commend you, well done.”
Tinubu emphasized that his commitment to providing infrastructure across the country is not for personal enrichment or aggrandizement. “Development that is focused on the people for economic prosperity and benefits is what we should pursue,” he said.
The President also commended the contractor handling the project, Gilmor Engineering Limited, saying that the project speaks for itself.
In his remarks, the Minister of FCT explained that the contract initially awarded in 2003 at the cost of N14 billion was divided into Lots 1 and 2 to Messrs Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited and Messrs Gilmor Engineering Limited.
“Dantata had left the site for long. We had to bring them back after the President approved a memorandum to that effect,” Wike said.
The Minister also disclosed that the development of the district, which covers 32km of road, had been fraught with litigations, which, however, did not deter the progress of the project.
“Since I assumed office as FCT Minister in August 2023, you have never interfered with our work. We are sincerely happy that you gave us the free hand to work,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister appealed to the President to name major roads in Guzape District after literary giants, Chinua Achebe and JP Clark.
In a project overview, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmad said the area being developed, Guzape District Lot II, is an urban fringe area covering 620 hectares, with 129 hectares encumbered by village settlements.
“The Lot 1 area covers an area of 450 hectares, whereas the Lot 2 covers 620 hectares,” the FCDA Executive Secretary said.
