BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper has honoured the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi with the 2025 Personality of the Year Award as Infrastructure Transformation Champion.
The organisers said that the recognition followed months of independent scrutiny, investigations, and verification of projects under the Ministry of Works.
Umahi received the award alongside the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the ministry.
He said: "I am here with my team, including the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and all the Directors. I am deeply touched by this award."
According to him, what struck him most was not the accolade itself, but the process behind it.
"What makes this recognition particularly important to me is the process behind it. I understand that you undertook a thorough review of the Ministry’s operations. What stands out is that this was done independently, without my knowledge, and I have only just become aware of it. That, to me, is very moving."
In a country where public trust is often tested, the minister seized the moment to make a bold claim that every project under his watch can withstand scrutiny.
"I want to assure you that what drives us in the ministry is the fear of God. On every project, the Permanent Secretary, the relevant Directors, and the contractors are all involved, and everything is done transparently. If questioned on any detail, including the cost components of a project, we can clearly account for it. There is nothing we do that we cannot defend.”
The minister explained that the ministry formally invited anti-corruption agencies to scrutinise its work, not just on paper, but on the ground.
"Let me tell you something, we wrote to ICPC to go around and investigate all our projects, not on papers, but to go around and investigate the physical accomplishments of what the President is doing. We also wrote to EFCC. Now, ICPC has concluded their own, and we have given them a space here to check our procurement process. They have started their work."
At the heart of Umahi’s reforms is a strategic shift, the transition from asphalt to concrete roads, which he described as a successful battle.
"The transition from asphalt to predominantly concrete roads was not without challenges. It was a battle we fought, but we are not afraid of challenges, especially when we are guided by God and committed to serving the people above all else."
He argued that the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial resistance.
"Most of the roads we are now constructing are concrete, designed to last up to a hundred years with minimal or no maintenance. This is a long-term investment in the country’s future," he added.
Beyond engineering, the minister painted a human picture of infrastructure, describing roads as lifeline projects.
He said: "We understand the impact of poor road infrastructure. When a road is cut off, it effectively traps people and limits movement, almost like a form of confinement. This is what the President is determined to change, and significant progress has been made.
"We are not seeking attention or accolades; our focus is on delivering results that improve the lives of Nigerians."
He enjoined the media to always stick to responsible reporting in an age of rapid information.
"I also encourage those in the media and public space to be responsible. Verify your facts before amplifying any information. Freedom of expression is important, but we are all accountable for what we say and do. Ultimately, what one sows is what one reaps."
The Chief Executive Officer of Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper, Bassey Williams described Umahi as a standout figure in public service despite rigorous and independent selection process.
William said: "After months of rigorous evaluation and peer consultation, the award committee of Aljazirah Nigeria Newspaper unanimously selected Engr David Nwaeze Umahi as Personality of the Year 2025 in the category of Infrastructure Transformation Icon."
He noted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ministry of works witnessed a surge in execution capacity, strategic planning, and nationwide impact.
Williams addressed past allegations against the minister, revealing that extensive investigations yielded no evidence of corruption.
"It is on record that Engr David Umahi is among the most scrutinised public officials in Nigeria by the Aljazirah Media Group. In 2024, extensive investigations were conducted into allegations of corrupt practices, deploying high-level investigative resources both within Nigeria and internationally. However, no evidence of wrongdoing was established," he added.
From the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to critical corridors across the North and South, the CEO said that the scale and consistency of delivery repositioned infrastructure as a central pillar of national development.
This was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works on Media, Francis Nwaze in Abuja.
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