The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has praised Dunamis International Gospel Centre for constructing a pedestrian bridge in Abuja, describing the intervention as a demonstration of leadership through service and commitment to public welfare.
Wike said leadership should be measured by tangible contributions to society rather than declarations of good intentions, stressing that individuals and institutions entrusted with responsibilities must demonstrate their impact through actions.
The minister spoke on Friday at the commissioning of the pedestrian bridge, which was constructed by the church as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives in the FCT.
He commended the church’s Senior Pastor, Paul Enenche, and his wife for extending their ministry beyond spiritual activities to address practical needs in society.
According to Wike, the church’s investment in public infrastructure demonstrated that religious organisations could play meaningful roles in improving community welfare and complementing government efforts.
“Watching the documentary and seeing what you have done, touching lives, not only with your soul, but talking about the welfare of other people, that is leadership,” he said.
He noted that undertaking such projects required sacrifices, particularly for organisations with other competing financial commitments, adding that prioritising the welfare of the wider community reflected genuine leadership.
Wike also recalled the church’s previous engagements with the FCT Administration, explaining that an application initially submitted in 2018 was brought to his attention after the church renewed its request in February 2026.
He said the administration granted approval shortly afterwards, describing the decision as part of its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote public safety and community development.
The minister urged Nigerians to acknowledge government achievements where they existed while offering constructive criticism where necessary.
He maintained that governance should be evaluated based on measurable accomplishments and their impact on citizens rather than political rhetoric or public relations.
Wike further challenged public office holders to account for their stewardship, insisting that elected representatives should be able to identify concrete achievements recorded during their time in office.
He said history would ultimately judge leaders by the problems they solved and the positive changes they brought to society.
The minister also cautioned Nigerians against relying exclusively on social media narratives when assessing public officials, urging them to consider verifiable records, competence and actual performance.
He assured the church of the FCT Administration’s continued support for projects that advance public safety and community development, indicating that the government would consider contributing 50 per cent towards an associated project.
Wike urged other religious organisations, corporate bodies and individuals to emulate Dunamis by investing in initiatives that address pressing community needs.
Earlier, Enenche said love, which forms the foundation of Christianity, must be expressed through generosity, selflessness and practical contributions to humanity.
He noted that people should be remembered for the problems they solved and the positive impact they made rather than the wealth they accumulated.
The cleric also reminded political, religious and other leaders of their responsibility to account for how they utilised the positions, resources and opportunities entrusted to them.
He stressed that the church’s mission extended beyond preaching and spiritual ministrations to practical interventions that improve lives and contribute to societal development.
The commissioning highlighted the potential of partnerships between government and religious institutions in addressing infrastructure gaps and improving public safety in the Federal Capital Territory.