Wike Pledges Pay Raise for Band After Hilarious Chinese Performance at Road Commissioning

By Kamal Yalwa | June 21, 2025

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday delighted his audience when he announced an impromptu pay raise for his official music band following a comical and spirited performance at a public event in Abuja.

The occasion was the commissioning of a newly completed collector road linking Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, a project undertaken by a Chinese construction firm.

During the event, the band’s lead singer unexpectedly broke into a humorous imitation of a Chinese-language song, a playful nod to the nationality of the contractors. The performance sparked laughter across the gathering, with Wike himself visibly amused.

Impressed by the gesture, the minister declared, “Now that my band can sing in Chinese language, I’ll increase their fees!” His announcement was met with cheers and applause from the audience.

Seizing the moment, the band broke into a new tune on the spot, chanting “Agreement is agreement,” while joyfully calling out Wike’s name—adding another layer of comedy and festivity to the event.

The light-hearted moment underscored Wike’s rapport with his staff and drew praise for injecting humour and human connection into official proceedings.