As he marked his 80th birthday on Friday, Sir Peter Aliu, a distinguished former Director of Protocol in the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (now FCT Administration), issued a heartfelt appeal to the Federal Government: protect Abuja’s green spaces.
Aliu, one of the pioneering civil servants who relocated from Lagos to Abuja during the capital’s formative years, warned against the encroachment and allocation of green areas and open spaces in Nigeria’s capital. According to him, such spaces are not mere aesthetic luxuries but vital features of any modern city, comparable to global urban planning standards.
“From the inception, Abuja was conceived as a modern, purpose-built city. Our planning missions to capitals around the world reinforced the need for extensive green areas and open public spaces. These should not be compromised,” he said in an exclusive interview reflecting on his life and public service.
Aliu served under 13 successive Ministers of the FCT and played a crucial role in shaping the ethos of the nascent capital. He remains one of the last surviving officials from the original cohort that made the arduous journey from Lagos in the late 1970s to lay the groundwork for what would become Nigeria’s seat of power.
Recalling the early days of Abuja’s development, Aliu described a largely untamed landscape—bushland, sparse populations, and few comforts. Civil servants, he noted, endured difficult journeys between Lagos and the Abuja field base in Suleja, often traveling by road before a temporary airstrip was constructed.
“We were building a city from scratch. Our accommodation was basic. Everything had to be created from nothing. Yet, we had a vision and dedication that propelled us forward,” he recalled.
His reflections provide a rare window into the founding philosophy of Abuja: a city designed not merely for function, but for livability, dignity, and sustainability.
When asked about recognition for his service, Aliu said he bears no resentment over the absence of a national honour in his name. “I am grateful for the National Productivity Merit Award I received, which is, in essence, equal to other national awards,” he said. He also acknowledged the Distinguished Service Cross conferred on him by the German government.
Having worked closely with numerous ministers including late Major General Mamman Vatsa, General Sani Abacha, and General Jeremiah Useni Aliu spoke with characteristic restraint when asked about pivotal moments in Nigeria’s political history. “What God has destined will happen,” he remarked simply, reflecting a philosophy grounded in faith and humility.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Aliu deliberately chose not to enter politics after retirement. “My focus has always been on work and faith. I left politics to those called to it,” he explained. Still, his commitment to public good remains undiminished.
To commemorate his 80th birthday, Aliu announced the establishment of the Sir Peter Aliu Foundation, a philanthropic initiative aimed at sponsoring the education and vocational training of underprivileged youth, as well as providing medical assistance to elderly citizens who cannot afford healthcare.
“Helping others is a tradition in my family. Through this foundation, I hope to institutionalize that legacy and give back to the society that nurtured me,” he said.
Asked how it feels to reach the milestone age, Aliu said, “I am deeply grateful to God, to my late parents, my mentors, my family, and all who have stood by me.” His mother, he noted, lived beyond 100 years, and he prays for a similar grace, adding, “With moderation, faith, and service, I hope to reach that mark in good health.”
On regrets, he is philosophical: “No one is perfect. We strive, we learn, and we leave the rest in the hands of God.”
With his quiet dignity, deep faith, and enduring commitment to public service, Sir Peter Aliu embodies a generation of Nigerian civil servants whose contributions laid the foundation for a capital that still strives to reflect its founding ideals.
