• As Wike renames ICC after president
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to stay committed to his work and disregard detractors who he described as ‘busybodies.’
He made the remarks yesterday during the official reopening of the refurbished International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, now renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Highlighting Wike’s dedication, President Tinubu praised him for embodying the true spirit and character of Nigerians, people of quality, determination, and strong resolve, through the high standards of his work in the FCT.
During a guided tour of the renovated facility, which serves as a venue for major events in the capital, President Tinubu lauded the transformation efforts and hailed Wike as a visionary leader.
“You represent us as a people of character, determination and great spirit. I am pleased to see you reflect these qualities. Ignore the busybodies and bystanders; no matter what they say, keep up your excellent work.
“You are a transformational leader with the foresight and determination to succeed. Thank you very much.
“The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub of original diplomacy, continental trade discussion, global partnership and many more thoughtful and well-outlined goals that reflect our Nigerian first.
“I’m greatly honoured and happy to be here to reopen this International Conference Centre as part of our determined effort to change the way we do things, to reflect us as people of quality, people of character, people of determination and people of great spirit. That’s what we are. And I’m glad Wike is reflecting that.”
Reflecting on the centre’s previous state, Tinubu recalled his experience attending an ECOWAS Parliament conference there. “When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament here, it was a very dirty, disorganised, uninhabitable environment. Aside from the side talk with the Senate President, I turned to Wike, I said, ‘But this conference centre is not reflecting who we are. Have we sunk this low?’ He said no, but bear with us, we’ll do whatever we can do to transform the place. You won’t come back to find it in a dilapidated, uninhabitable situation as it is, and today I am very happy.”
President Tinubu framed the renovation as part of the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” a national initiative to upgrade infrastructure across key sectors. “Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are determined to renew infrastructure across the key sectors of this country; transportation, healthcare, education, energy and urban development, because you understand that modern infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving economy in an inclusive and progressive society,” he said.
In closing, the President gave a light-hearted but firm reminder about the centre’s usage policies, saying, “Today, I say once again to all of you, Baraka de Salah and you must obey what the landlord says. You want to use this place, you got to pay for it.”
Earlier, Wike had renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) as Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. He explained what led to the decision to rename the center and the importance of its upkeep: “Because of your leadership, you gave a marching order, this is not the quality to show that Nigeria is the Giant of Africa. Today, this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can match any other international conference centre anywhere.”
He stressed the need for financial accountability to ensure the center’s sustainability. “I want to let everybody know – whether you are a Ministry or an agency, you want to use this? You have to pay something. That is the only way it can be sustained. There is nothing like my brother or my sister is going to have a wedding. If you want to use such a beautiful place like this, then you must drop something.
Wike also recounted the challenges faced during the rehabilitation of the center, attributing past failures to political interference.
“This place was being handled before by a politician. They gave it to a politician and he killed the place and when we tried to do work, the politician had to go to court to stop us from carrying out this rehabilitation that you are seeing today.”
He praised President Tinubu’s intervention and support in overcoming these obstacles.
“So, if you are not the kind of person that you are, we would not have succeeded in doing this work. Pressure came from left, right and centre and you said go ahead and rehabilitate that place and we thank God for his leadership. Our problem is leadership. When you have the right leadership, things will get done and that is what you have shown today.” that is what you have shown today.”