The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given reason for directing permanent secretaries in his ministry to bow before President Bola Tinubu.
It would be recalled that Wike gave the order on Tuesday during the inauguration of the arterial road N20.
The minister’s action attracted condemnation from Nigerians who felt it was a slight on the permanent secretaries to be ordered to bow before the President
Reacting to criticisms, Wike said the action was not malicious but to show appreciation to the President who granted approval for the appointment of the permanent secretaries whom he said had earlier lost hope in their career progression.
He said, “Two days ago, when the President came, we tried to thank him for what he did in making sure that those who had already lost hope in their career progression got to the peak of their career.
“Before now, FCTA did not have permanent secretaries. But with Mr. President’s renewed hope, he said they must get to the peak of their careers by getting to the position of permanent secretary and head of the civil service, if possible. Mr. President granted that, and then I called out the permanent secretaries who are the beneficiaries to come out and take a bow and thank Mr. President.
“It is an honour to be called out to take a bow, but some human beings can never see anything good. Instead, they are criticising, saying, ‘How will you call people who are permanent secretaries and ask them to take a bow?
“In my place, when someone does not have anything good to say about you, they will say, ‘look at him’. Instead of you to commend Mr. President for doing well, for giving hope to those that didn’t have hope before.”