Wike also thanked the contractor who constructed the road for ensuring the timely completion of the road project
By Kehinde Okeowo
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has explained why he recommended that one of the roads he recently commissioned in the Abuja be named after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
TheNiche had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu while celebrating his first year in office on Tuesday, approved the naming of the full-scope Arterial road N20 from Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway (otherwise called the Murtala Mohammed Expressway), as the Wole Soyinka Way.
However, the president said it was the Federal Capital Territory Minister, who recommended Soyinka for the honour.
Also speaking at the event, Wike disclosed that the contract for the construction of the road was awarded in 2020 at the cost of N30.6 billion, adding that the completion of the road project has brought relief to the residents of the FCT.
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He went on to say the expressway was named after the 89-year-old playwright because he made “significant contributions to the progress and development of Nigeria”.
Wike said: “the proposal to dedicate the road to Prof. Wole Soyinka is rooted in the importance of honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to progress and development during their lifetime, thus setting an example for others.”
The former Rivers State governor also thanked the contractor who constructed the expressway for ensuring the timely completion of the road project.