President Muhammadu Buhari has praised Malam Mohammed Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for exemplifying the characteristics of transparency, honesty, and integrity in managing the operations of the FCT.
On Sunday, the president expressed his views when he hosted the leadership of the FCT and representatives of the FCT Community, who paid him Christmas homage at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the Nigerian president, he nominated Bello as FCT minister on purpose and refused to deploy him because of his good character.
He said Bello has proven to be a better manager of both financial and human resources.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president was reacting to an earlier testimony by Sen. Smart Adeyemi, Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, who described the FCT Minister as the most transparent and honest Minister in the history of the FCT.
President Buhari said he was not surprised to hear such comments on the FCT Minister, thanking Bello for not disappointing him.
‘He said: ‘The Minister has restored sanity into allocation of plots in the FCT. People were used to selling allocated plots instead of developing them as stipulated by the FCT laws.
”Others also apply for land only for them to resale and get quick money for marrying additional wives.”
On the Christmas homage, the president appreciated Nigerians for trusting and giving him the opportunity to serve as their leader.
He told the delegation, led by the FCT Minister that while campaigning for President in 2003, he took his time to visit the 774 Local Government Areas of the country and he got overwhelming support from the people.
According to him, when he leaves office in May; he will retire to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State, to rest from the rigours of the exalted office.
“Thank you very much for taking your time to come and visit me and I congratulate you for this great day (Christmas).
”I have promised a lot of my colleagues that I will try to be as far away as possible from Abuja when I leave office, so that nobody can create any problem for me anymore.
“I will be in Daura, which is on the border with Niger Republic and I think in spite of technology, I will be safe enough there.”
The president reiterated that he would not stay in office a day longer than the stipulated time for his tenure of office.
‘ ‘So, in five months’ time, I will happily retire according to the provisions of the constitution of the country and go back home,” he added.
The leader of the delegation and FCT minister had earlier told the president that the Christmas homage had become mandatory in view of the fact that he is the Governor General of the FCT.
“It is not surprising to pay such visits because constitutionally, as the Governor General of the FCT, you are also the head of the administration of the FCT, but you have graciously delegated that to me.
”Today marks a milestone for us because in 2020 and 2021 we could not pay such visits due to the emergence of coronavirus,” he added.
The minister took time to wish President Buhari long life and a successful retirement as his tenure gradually comes to an end.
He said: “This also presents the last Christmas that we are going to have an opportunity as residents of the FCT to come and pay you homage because in five months’ time, your tenure would have ended and the next Christmas will be under a new President.
“So, we use this opportunity to thank God almighty for having made it possible for us to witness several Christmas celebrations under your leadership.
”I also on behalf of the entire residents of the FCT, wish you well and pray for God to grant you long life, useful and healthy retirement in the next few months.
“We want to also extend our appreciation for what you have so far done for the country.”
NAN reports that the president was presented with a giant Christmas card by the FCT Minister on behalf of residents of the territory at the event. (NAN)