•as Wike flags off 10 of staff quarters, approves two hostels for Law School
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Latif Fagbemi (SAN) has said whether one likes the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike or not, the person can not dispute the fact that he is performing.
The AGF disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, during the flag-off ceremony of the design and construction of 10 blocks for staff quarters in the Nigeria Law School, Bwari, Abuja.
He said: “Whether you like him or not you like him (Wike), you can’t dispute the fact the fact that he is performing. Mr Project does not embark on projects he does not have money for. He is a crusader of ‘if you do not have money don’t award a contract’.
“Hon. Minister, we appreciate you. Nobody can take this away from you. You are an achiever. Your worth is not in the figure in the bank, but how much you touch lives.”
Fagbemi who noted that it was unfortunate that TETFund law did not capture the Law School, charged other Nigerians to do the same on other campuses.
Responding, the FCT minister, Wike charged his critics to wait for their turn to do for their profession as he would not be deterred from affecting the judiciary positively.
The minister also approved two student hostels for the school, male and female hostels, and stated that there was nothing wrong with the federal government providing facilities and infrastructure for institutions.
He said: “This school is owned by the federal government. There’s nothing wrong with the federal government trying to provide facilities for the school. Mr. President mandated me to provide these facilities.
“When I came for the last call to the bar, I saw very bad buildings, I couldn’t believe it; where lawyers are being trained? We have included funds in the 2025 budget for two hostels in the Law School, one for males and another for females, anybody angry with what I am doing for the judiciary should wait for their turn to do for their profession.”
The minister also noted that it was high time the Law School was added to benefit from TETFund.
“It’s getting too late for the Nigerian Law School to be added to benefit from TETFund. It is not too late to amend the TETFund status to accommodate the school.”
Wike also assured that there was funding for the contractor, so there was no reason for delay. “I believe contracts should be awarded and finished, not to abandon it, waste government money and suffer the people.”
Wike commended the National Assembly’s readiness to help the FCT Administration’s budgets.
Also, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Awomolo thanked Wike for the good gesture he has been extending to the judiciary.
“History will write your name in gold at the appropriate time. Wike will be one of those who will never be forgotten in the FACT for what he’s doing,” he stated.
On his part, acting Executive Secretary, Richard Unana commented on the lack of accommodation in the Nigerian Law School.
He explained that 10 blocks of four-bedroom structures as staff quarters. He said the buildings would be fully furnished with other necessary supplies.
He said the contract would be delivered in nine months, though the contractor said they would deliver in six months.
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