Wole Soyinka Way
EKO HOT BLOG reports that President Bola Tinubu yesterday named the ‘Arterial Road N20’ in Abuja after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, renaming it ‘Wole Soyinka Way.’ This followed a request by FCT Minister Nyeson Wike, shortly before its commissioning by the President.
President Tinubu praised the minister for completing the project, noting that it disproved critics. He likened the achievement to the kick-off of the Lagos-Calabar Coaster Highway two weeks ago.
The road, which runs from the Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway), connects various districts and enhances movement across the city. Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature, won the prize in 1986.
The President described 89-year-old scholar as a foremost playwright, who has brought international acclaim, to Nigeria, thanking Wike for the recommendation.
President Tinubu described the project as another testament to his administration’s development agenda of transforming every part of the country.
He said: ‘’Let me say that the recommendation to name this Arterial Road N20 after Wole Soyinka is well received. He is our foremost playwright, novelist, and Nobel prize winner.
‘’He has brought Nigeria fame, pride, and international acclaim. Thank you for thinking that way. We all accept your recommendation on behalf of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The President said the project has reinforced his government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and fostering sustainable development.
He stressed: “The completion of this strategic project underscores our dedication to building a robust and resilient infrastructure that meets the needs of our growing population and stimulates economic growth.
“I am also aware that the project enabled the creation of employment opportunities for over 1,500 Nigerians. This is commendable and serves as a credit to the Renewed Hope Agenda for creating job opportunities for our teeming youth.
“As we commission this road today, we must also recognize the broader vision that it serves. This project is a critical component of our administration’s comprehensive plan to transform the FCT into a world-class city.
“It equally aligns with our broader objectives of improving urban infrastructure, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that our cities are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the future.”
Wole Soyinka Way
President Tinubu said the successful completion of the Arterial Road N20 project should serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the nation.
He added: “I encourage other sub-nationals to take a cue from what is happening in the FCT and replicate them in their local communities.”
The President thanks Wike, the FCT Administration, the contractors, engineers, and all those who contributed to the completion of the project, saying: “Your hard work and dedication have made this day possible.”
The Wole Soyinka Way is the fifth FCT project inaugurated by President Tinubu, as part of events to mark his administration’s first year in office.
Before his speech, Wike, who introduced the FCT permanent secretaries to the President, recounted the history of the project.
He said: I Wike thanked the President for renewing and realizing the hope of Abuja residents.
‘’I do not want to talk about politics now, but I know it will be very difficult for anybody to challenge the President in the FCT. The facts are there. It is not about theory. It is about reality. You said you will do this, and you have done it.
“This road was awarded in 2020 at the cost of N30.6b and luckily, this is the one that has no variation. So, when we came on board and I found the MD of Gilmor, I think I have been here not less than ten times to inspect this road. What touched me was one old man, either an Indian or Lebanese, almost 90 years, each time we come here, you will see the old man sitting somewhere.
“He said look, he was already trying to park out, that he didn’t know whether we were really sure that we were going to complete this road. He said are you sure this road will be completed? I said well, when you go back to India, just keep praying for us.
“So, what are we talking about? I sincerely thank you and I want to plead with you, one of the things you have always done is to encourage people who have some well, who have excelled in their own way and when you do that, it encourages others that tomorrow, the government will also recognise me that having done well, they can say okay, name this after me, that we remember his contributions.
“It is good when somebody is alive and who has made this country happy, recognize him than waiting for when he dies.
“A dead man does not know what happens. So, I will appeal to you, there is one of our own who has done a lot, the only Nobel Laureate we have that has made Nigeria proud in the world, I recommend that this road should be named Wole Soyinka Way. In that case, other people will have hope. People like will have hope that tomorrow they will also recognize me”.
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