As a first–time visitor, the first thing that strikes you is Abuja’s marvelous ability to hold you utterly enchanted and leave you that way for several months as you remain it. And even if you did go away, it still leaves a very lucid picture of its amazing coolness and serenity in your mind, such that you ever long to return to it.
The reason for this feeling is not far-fetched; you do not expect to see such a sprawl, such exquisiteness and strange blend of multiple culture, ethnicity, languages, social characterization and creed in this part of the world.
After all, it is in Africa, West Africa for that matter where such strides are natural rare occurrences! But then, Abuja also has a unique ability to disappoint you in your expectation, as through its dimensional evolution, it presents you with changing faces each time you come around. Abuja’s reputation as one of the fastest growing cities in the world is, indeed, well-earned.
First mooted as idea in 1976, and eventual official opening up in 1991 as capital city replacing Lagos, Abuja stands out as one of the fastest growing cities in the world with an estimated population of about 3, 464,123 inhabitants.
As the first planned city in Africa, Abuja’s growth, though phased, has been very rapid with a corresponding rise in urbanity thus becoming an investment hub. Abuja has so many distinctive features ranging from its geography to demography as well as entire ecosystems.
For a country aspiring for greatness, it is only natural that Abuja emerged as Nigeria’s capital. This is all for its central location, ease of accessibility, moderate climate, and low population density and the availability of land for future expansion.
However, the pride of Abuja lies in its dynamic leadership as typified in the dynamism, style and passion of the many Ministers that have administered the city over the years.
It is also a likeable city for reasons of its cool, breathable air, sprawling trees and its green, open landscapes which have been made possible by the commitment of the administration and the demonstrated doggedness and passion of the Honourable Minister to the dreams and creative ideals of the founding fathers of our capital city.
The discipline of its people and continuous growth in infrastructure as well as environmental culture have ensured the cities ascent into becoming a healthy and prosperous city. This has reinforced the belief in the reality of its transformation into one of the leading global economies.
What is more, surviving the Ebola virus, the lassa fever, and being one of the first cities to reopen its doors to business and travels while keeping the tolls of the corona virus at containable limits by the adoption of necessary but people-centric measures by the Honourable Minister, Alhaji Muhammed Bello for the implementation of the regulations announced by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Abuja is essentially a city with remarkable resilience.
The administration has also ensured adequate security of lives and property in the capital city through the adoption of practicable and conscious security measures to attend to emergencies and threats, thus making the city more or less a sort of safety haven. Though limited by the threat of corona virus, nightlife in Abuja is also one of its numerous attractions.
In the not too distant future, the calculated and determined efforts of the current Minister to transform Nigeria’s capital city into one of delight and convenience should turn Abuja into a global destination of investment and tourism. The magic remains for subsequent administrations to sustain the tempo and draw from the examples set by Honourable Muhammed Bello in sincerity of purpose, integrity, liberalism and focus.
Without doubt, the city has evolved substantially in the last 5 years with the gradual but stable infrastructural work being done to prepare Abuja as the city for the future.
All these wouldn’t have been possible without the Honourable Minister’s attention to deliverables. Mr Bello came with no exaggerated promises but each step he has taken so far made Abuja a little bit more liveable, and has increased people’s confidence in the future of the city.
He has initiated the creation of new departments and agencies to help drive the reforms that are turning Abuja into of one of the dynamic cities of the world. His cross-city partnership involving the public and private sectors as well as the working population in the development of infrastructure is contributing immensely to the growth of Abuja – roads are being resurfaced, parks and green spaces cleaned up and the city’s numerous tourist attractions, including its famed gardens are receiving good rating amongst the populace.
Mr Bello has shown a keen sensitivity to the imbalances that weaken the social fabric through his outstanding vigilance, listening and empathy and a high determination to heal any traces of divisions in the city.
The city’s imminent celebration of its 46 years of creation, which indeed, is a milestone worth celebrating, is not just a celebration but a rekindling of our hope in the future of the capital city. It is good a thing that this celebration is happening under the leadership of a man who has not only demonstrated his commitment to the execution of the plans behind the creation of the city but also attaches special importance to the values of integrity, kindness, selflessness and service without which Abuja nay, Nigeria cannot prosper.
Congratulations to you, Honourable Minister and to the the amiable people of the splendid city of Abuja as we celebrate this major milestone.
– Musa Wada writes from Abuja.
