Interview: Progress And Vision In Bwari Area Council

Eagle Times Nigeria recently sat down with Tukura John Daniel, Chief of Staff to the Bwari Area Council Chairman, to discuss his experiences, achievements, and vision for Bwari. Below are excerpts from the interview.

Eagle Times : Good morning, Mr. Tukura John Daniel, and congratulations on your first three months in office. How has the journey been so far?

*Tukura John Daniel* : Thank you very much. The journey has been both hectic and interesting. It has been hectic because my chairman is a workaholic who hit the ground running from day one. After a tough legal tussle last year, we did not have a single day to rest. Immediately after the election, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Joshua Ishaku Musa, used the weeks leading to his inauguration to solidify his development blueprint for Bwari. Upon being sworn in, he immediately began implementing his plans. We have been busy for over a year, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

It has also been interesting because I have transitioned from being an active citizen to a government insider. This new role gives me a front-row seat on the ship of governance and allows me to view the Nigerian project from a dual perspective.

*Eagle Times* : As Chief of Staff and someone now at the forefront of the political landscape, what is your exact role in shaping policy and ensuring the Chairman’s vision is implemented?

*Tukura John Daniel:* My role as Chief of Staff puts me in charge of strategic coordination, policy support, and implementation oversight within the Chairman’s Office. Essentially, I serve as the bridge between the Chairman’s vision and the machinery needed to translate that vision into measurable action. My responsibility is to ensure the Chairman receives the right information at the right time, that decisions are properly communicated, that officers understand their responsibilities, and that issues requiring the Chairman’s attention are brought forward promptly. While people often glamourize the Chief of Staff’s closeness to the Executive Chairman, ultimately, my job is that of an efficient coordinator and facilitator.

As Chris Whipple wrote in his book, The Gatekeepers, “When government works, it is usually because the chief understands the fabric of power, threading the needle where policy and politics converge.” My hope is that by the end of our term, the Executive Chairman will recognize my efficiency and dedication to the role.

*Eagle Times:* Communication is crucial for policy and coordination. What is the administration’s three-point agenda for Bwari Area Council, and what have you achieved in the last three months?

*Tukura John Daniel* : It is important to note that my principal first served the people of Bwari as a councillor from 2016 to 2019. During that time, he built boreholes, awarded scholarships to indigent students, and distributed free fertilizers to farmers. He has always invested in basic social amenities, human capital development, and agriculture.

Shortly after assuming office as Executive Chairman, his first official function was commissioning a 40,000-litre solar-powered borehole at Dutsepe. Within weeks, he approved payments for five months of outstanding allowances owed to council staff, and in just three months, he has paid off twenty out of thirty-five months owed. He is committed to clearing all outstanding allowances, prioritizing the wellbeing of Bwari residents. Additionally, he has distributed free fertilizers to farmers across the ten wards, empowered at least 50 fashion designers through his wife’s office, and partnered with Abuja Film Village to train 20 Bwarians in filmmaking. He has also paid WAEC and NECO fees for indigent students and supported student bodies such as the Student Association of Bwari Area Council (SABAC). More empowerment programs are in the pipeline than Bwari has ever experienced.

In infrastructure, the administration has renovated the Chairman and Vice Chairman’s offices, constructed asphalt overlays in Zango and Sokale, and built a box culvert bridge connecting Dugbadna to Bwari township. Some of these projects are so significant that residents initially thought they were FCTA interventions.

Essentially, the Chairman’s three-point agenda for Bwari Area Council is focused on infrastructural development, human capital empowerment, and food security. Hon. Joshua Ishaku Musa has demonstrated that he was well-prepared for the office of Executive Chairman long before assuming the role.

*Eagle Times:* What is the Chairman’s relationship with the FCT Minister, councillors, and the bureaucracy? Are you receiving enough support from the FCTA?

*Tukura John Daniel:* Hon. Joshua Ishaku Musa enjoys a close relationship with the Honourable Minister of FCT, H.E. Nyesom Wike, who supported him throughout last year’s election challenges and has pledged to support Bwari’s development. Recently, the Bwari Satellite Town Water Project was commissioned, and a 17-kilometre Bwari-Kubwa road is slated for commissioning in December, with several other interventions underway.

He also has an excellent relationship with the councillors, who appreciate his humility, accessibility, and warmth. Regarding bureaucracy, the Executive Chairman has streamlined processes in Bwari. Files that previously took months now take only days or weeks, thanks to the removal of unnecessary bottlenecks. Hon. Joshua believes governance is a serious business, and all hands must be on deck to deliver on the administration’s promises.

*Eagle Times:* What was the status of primary healthcare centres, public schools, and markets when you assumed office, and what are your plans to improve them?

*Tukura John Daniel* : Public schools and healthcare centres require major interventions. The Chairman has directed the health department to conduct a needs assessment across the council. For public schools, the situation is more complex, as the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) manages primary and junior secondary education, limiting the council’s direct intervention. However, Hon. Joshua remains committed to supporting improvements in education wherever possible.

Regarding markets, Bwari Area Council boasts some of the best in the FCT, though many operate under public-private partnerships. The Executive Chairman is working to improve market management and infrastructure, with further enhancements planned.

*Eagle Times* : Bwari is an APC-controlled council with a strong opposition presence. How do you ensure governance is not politicised? And ahead of the 2027 election, what is the political future of the Chairman?

*Tukura John Daniel:* The Executive Chairman is focused on delivering on his mandate, not on future political ambitions. He does not entertain discussions about a second term or higher office. His priority is for everyone to bring their best so that Bwari residents experience practical, inclusive, and progressive governance. The people themselves are already clamouring for a second term due to his dedication and humility.

Regarding opposition, Bwari’s recent election results show overwhelming support for the Chairman, with a record number of appointments—including many youths and members from opposition parties. The administration functions more as a unity government than a divided one, ensuring broad representation and cooperation.

*Eagle Times* : You mentioned human capital empowerment as one of your core agenda items. What plans does the administration have for the youths and women of Bwari Area Council?

*Tukura John Daniel:* The Chairman’s plans for youths and women are extensive. He is a visionary and a doer, constantly seeking ways to improve the lives of Bwari residents. He is dedicated to turning ideas into action. As previously mentioned, he is already sponsoring young people to learn fashion design and filmmaking. In governance, he has introduced many youths to leadership roles—myself included, as the youngest Chief of Staff in FCT history. The administration includes more youths than any other government I am aware of. He does not believe in tokenism; instead of offering handouts, he provides opportunities for youths and women to advance their careers. Plans are underway to renovate a large training and development centre, underscoring his commitment to human capital development.

*Eagle Times:* Citizens often accuse Area Councils of lacking transparency. How can an ordinary Bwari resident track your budget and projects?

*Tukura John Daniel:* When your focus is development and you have good intentions, transparency comes naturally. From the onset, Hon. Joshua invited residents from various wards to propose the most beneficial projects, many of which were included in the supplementary budget. The administration ensured transparency in project selection and contract bidding. Currently, there is ongoing public awareness about initiatives such as the planned verification and recertification of the 4-4 day market. This administration operates with openness and accountability.

*Eagle Times*: Lastly, what is your message to the people of Bwari?

*Tukura John Daniel:* My message to the people of Bwari is simple: let’s support the administration of Hon. Joshua Ishaku Musa as he leads Bwari towards progress. This is a turning point, and all hands must be on deck to build a greater Bwari. Let us rally behind this administration for a brighter future for all.