Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike who earned another title of a ‘Transformational leader’ with the vision on Tuesday renamed the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja after President Bola Tinubu.
The international centre, which has been given a massive infrastructural facelight, and built in 1991 is now to be known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
President Tinubu who just returned from a Sallah break in Lagos, flagged off the commissioning of projects in the Federal Capital Territory under Minister Wike to mark his second anniversary in office.
The President told Wile in the presence of high-profile dignitaries at the event including Senate President Godswill Alpabio that “Do not pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Whatever they say, continue your good work. You are a transformational leader with foresight, vision, and determination.”
Tinubu said that his previous visit to the Centre during the 2024 ECOWAS Parliament conference was not a good experience given the poor state of the facility.
“When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was dirty, disorganized, and uninhabitable. I turned to Mr. Wike and said, ‘This Conference Centre does not reflect who we are. Have we sunk this low?’ He replied, ‘No, bear with us. We will do whatever we can to transform the place.’ Today, I am very happy.”
President Tinubu who also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for completing the renovation within one year of the Centre’s closure, assured Nigerians of his administration’s determination to revitalize infrastructure across key sectors, including transportation, healthcare, education, energy, and urban development.
The President directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to pay for the use of the facility to ensure its upkeep and long-term sustainability.
Welcoming the President, Minister Wike explained that the FCT administration transformed the facility within eight months after the President’s directive.
“Mr. President, this transformation would not have been possible without your leadership. Many presidents have come here, but none said this was not what Nigeria needed because they lacked your courage and vision,” Minister Wike said.
The FCT Minister stressed the need for financial discipline in maintaining the newly upgraded facility.
“Whether you are a ministry or an agency, you must pay something to use this facility. That is the only way we can sustain it. No such thing as ‘my brother’ or ‘my sister’ wants to use it for a wedding. If you want to use a beautiful place like this, you must pay something,” he said.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is among several capital projects scheduled for commissioning by President Tinubu in Abuja as part of activities marking his second anniversary in office.
“The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnerships, and other thoughtful, well-outlined goals that reflect our ‘Nigeria First’ principle,” the President said.
He praised Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, the original contractor, for delivering a high-quality renovation, adding that the quality reflects what Julius Berger has been known for in this country for years.
