The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday called on members of the Body of Benchers and other professionals to end destructive criticism against the government and start using their positions to develop their institutions.
Wike, who made the call in Abuja when he hosted delegates of the Body of Benchers led by its Chairman, Albert Akpomudje, said that public officers would be remembered for the impact they made through developmental projects and not the barrage of criticism they released on public affairs.
The Minister, who spoke on the heels of the criticism and backlash he had received as the FCT Minister, for building houses and court complexes for the judiciary arm of government.
According to him, any public officer that pays too much attention to criticism would not make the needed impact in any area of public service.
Wike said, “What is leadership all about? At the end of your tenure, what will you say is your legacy?” Wike asked.
“You cannot occupy a position and all you do is criticize the government every day. People will ask you: while you had the opportunity, what did you do for your profession?”
He said successive leaders of the Body of Benchers had demonstrated exemplary leadership by consistently seeking government intervention to improve infrastructure and facilities for the legal profession.
“You are not the first chairman of the Body of Benchers, but you came with requests that will improve the institution and open up the area for everybody. That is leadership,” he said.
Wike noted that under the current administration, the annex building of the Body of Benchers was nearing completion and would be delivered by June, while the access road around the Nigerian Law School and EFCC Academy corridor was already 98 per cent completed.
He also approved a new request for an access road to the Body of Benchers annex building, directing relevant officials of the FCT Administration to immediately assess and incorporate the project into ongoing works.
The minister used the occasion to criticise what he described as “destructive criticism” by some professional groups, insisting that constructive engagement with the government yields better results.
“Constructive criticism is good, but not the kind where nobody sees anything good in what the government is doing,” he stated.
