By Adeola Agoro
My team of chosen and dedicated colleagues and I have spent the last few weeks producing contents on the 10-Point Achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as delivered through the Federal Ministry that I consult for.
After presenting the materials to my Director today, I felt the need to exhale properly. So I asked my driver to take us; myself, the Location Director (Mr. T) and a staff to any nice place in town. I simply needed a breath of fresh air in a new environment.
But as we drove through Abuja, I almost didn’t recognize the city again. One road led into another. I was stunned by the number of new roads we now have in town, and that’s not all, they’re absolutely beautiful.
I remember the first thing that enthralled me when I visited Israel was their road network (I mentioned this in my book, Wonders of Israel: Lessons for Nigeria). In fact, in all the countries I’ve visited, I’ve always rated them highly because of their road infrastructure.
So seeing Abuja now, stretched out and shining through these new roads under the Tinubu administration was truly impressive.
As if reading my thoughts, my driver, Mr. Hakeem aka Fenuja said, “I’ve never been to America o, but I’ve seen it in films. Walahi, Abuja is now like America. Wike is trying for us.”
I changed my plans to go and relax. I told him to take me to the office of Mr. Project himself – Nyesom Wike, where all the real planning happens, specifically to see my colleague, Mr. Lere Olayinka.
Back in 2018, I served on the APC Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Committee (Sub Media). I was one of those who worked before, during, and after the campaign that led to Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s 2nd Term election.
Mr. Lere Olayinka was on the other side. He worked for the PDP candidate, Professor Kolapo Olusola (Eleka).
It was a tough job for all of us on both sides. They threw jabs, we countered and vice versa.
But in all, we remained respectful. We never got personal. We defended our candidates, but never attacked each other as individuals.
After the election, we all dissolved into the space ahead, back to our careers and businesses. No hurt feelings.
So, today, with the confidence of someone who fought a good fight without hurting feelings, we went to Mr. Lere Olayinka’s office without a prior appointment. And we were received with warmth and grace.
I may not know everything in this world, but one thing I know for sure is this: Tinubu is working.
I can’t speak for what other media units in ministries are doing about publicity, but I know that my Minister, the Permanent Secretary and even the Director of Procurement, all want the achievements so far to be showcased to the world.
There are many achievements. But civil service operates on bureaucracy, and with bureaucracy comes delayed approvals for something as important as publicity. This is probably why much is not yet placed out for the world to see.
However, I don’t need approval to speak about the visible transformation of Abuja. Even Lokogoma, where I live, now has streetlights and we can move easily at night and the crime rate in this area has reduced significantly.
I was away in Lagos for six months and came back to a city I could hardly recognize. Wike has come to replant Abuja and many of us are happy.
As for Mr. Lere Olayinka, know this:
You now have in me a partner with the restless creative spirit with the tools to make the Abuja work of Tinubu and Wike shine brighter.
This is a new synergy.
This is renewed hope.
This is work to be done.
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