The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a pedestrian bridge constructed by Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja.

Wike spoke at the inauguration ceremony on Friday, where he acknowledged the church’s efforts to secure government approval for the project.

He said Dunamis applied for approval in 2018 but did not receive it until February 2026, when the church sent a reminder about its application.

According to the minister, the approval was granted within a month of the reminder.

“You applied for approval to build this pedestrian bridge in 2018. It was in February 2026 when you sent a reminder about the application you made in 2018. It didn’t take you more than a month after that reminder, and you got the approval,” he said.

Wike urged Nigerians to acknowledge government efforts when they deliver on their responsibilities, while also holding them accountable when they fall short.

“If a government does well, say they’ve done well. If they’ve not done well, you can say we’re looking forward to you doing this,” he added.

The church’s founder, Pastor Paul Enenche, thanked Wike for granting the approval, saying the church had tried unsuccessfully for six years to obtain permission to construct the bridge.

Enenche said the approval was eventually granted in 2026, expressing appreciation to the FCT minister.

The inauguration was also marked by an exchange between Wike and Enenche after the minister said he had been asked by the pastor not to campaign at the event.

Wike, however, argued that discussing governance was part of politics, adding that Enenche also spoke about bad governance during church sermons.