Wike urges professional bodies to focus on development

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday urged professional associations to redirect their attention from persistent public criticism of government to the pursuit of tangible development within their own institutions. Wike made the remarks in Abuja while receiving delegates of the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, Albert Akpomudje, during a courtesy visit to his residence in Life Camp.

He indicated leadership should be measured by legacy projects and reforms achieved during tenure, rather than frequent media criticism of government policies. “You cannot occupy a position, and all you do is criticise the government every day. People will ask you: while you had the opportunity, what did you do for your profession? ” Wike asked.

The minister commended successive leaderships of the Body of Benchers for what he described as a more pragmatic approach, such as seeking government support to improve infrastructure 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. that key infrastructure projects for the body were nearing completion, including its annex building, which he showed would be.

That the access road around the Nigerian Law School and EFCC Academy corridor was already 98 per cent completed. He further approved a request for an additional access road to the Body of Benchers annex, directing officials of the FCT Administration to assess and integrate the project into ongoing works. While acknowledging the role of criticism in governance, Wike warned against what he termed unproductive commentary from professional groups.