The recent conferment of the honuorary doctorate degree on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed in Benin, by the prestigious Igbinedion University did not come as a surprise to many. It was something that had been expected which should have happened long before now.
The unparalled manner by which Bala has been working, executing several projects consistently over the past few years ordinarily would and should attract this kind of award.
Senator Bala’s honesty of purpose, humility, loyalty to his superiors; hard work and above all, his trustworthiness have combined to make him worthy of recognition at highest level.
Though as human, there is no doubt that he still has a lot to do in many areas in Abuja even as he himself agreed recently, but the claim by one Salisu in recent write-up in Leadership newpaper was in bad taste.
While it is on record that Bala has marshalled out strategies to overcome many challenges in the FCT, the fact should not be lost on the population of Abuja that has now grown to over 6 million people instead of less than two million maximum projection, and this has overstretched all facilities to the limit in all areas.
Again, despite the budget constraints Bala had shown a grim determination to forge ahead in strategic priority areas, especially in human and infrastructure development. Bala has since 2010 given priority attention to human development by insisting on training and re-training of officers of all cadres, believing that as the engine room of the civil service, the civil servants must continuously be given relevant exposure.
Many of such workers have attended training programmes within and outside the country and has helped them to be professionally competent, more patriotic and amenable to service delivery.
Bala and his team also embarked on the provision of critical infrastructure required to fast-track the development of eleven new districts. With the participation of respected investors newly opened up areas are now being developed by the approved alottees. Apart from Bala’s effort at running an open and transparent administration, he has fashioned out a unique style of supervising his Directors and heads of agencies to ascertain the truth of information given to him from any quarters. This had helped him to be on top of whatever is happening in the FCTA/FCDA.
The recognition of the FCTA Minister by the University of Igbinedion therefore, for the award of an honorary doctorate degree is an evidence of his commitment and determination to develop Abuja as a very beautiful city Nigerians will be proud of.
[myad]
