Why I Named International Conference Centre After Tinubu — Wike p

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike says renaming Abuja’s newly rehabilitated International Conference Centre after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a tribute to visionary leadership that delivers results.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Wike stated that the name was not chosen out of sentiments or politics, but as a recognition of the President’s decisive intervention in revamping the once-deplorable facility.

“It is important to understand why we re-named it the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. This building was constructed in 1991 under a military government. Since then, it had been abandoned, with nothing to show for decades,” Wike explained.

The turning point, Wike revealed, came in December of the previous year when President Tinubu visited the facility during the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament.

“Mr. President, you came here and you were clearly embarrassed by the state of this place. You said this is not worthy to be called Nigeria’s International Conference Centre. You challenged us to change it, and that single statement is what gave us the push”.

According to the Minister, within just eight months of receiving that directive, the FCT administration took action, rehabilitating the centre to world-class standards.

“Without your leadership, we would not be standing here today. Many presidents have come and gone, but none gave that kind of marching order. That’s what makes you different,” Wike said.

Wike emphasized that the decision to re-name the centre after Tinubu was to immortalize the President’s commitment to national transformation and to serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when leaders take responsibility.

“Our problem has always been leadership. When you have the right leadership, things will get done, and this is what you have shown, Mr. President,” Wike stated.

He also addressed sustainability concerns, urging ministries, agencies, and individuals to respect the facility and contribute to its maintainance.

“This place will not be a free-for-all. Whether you’re a government agency or planning an event, you must pay. That’s the only way we can sustain this quality,” Wike warned.

The FCT Minister also revealed the political resistance the project faced, including a court case filed by a previous political appointee who had mismanaged the centre.

He credited President Tinubu’s unwavering support in resisting the pressure and moving forward with the rehabilitation.

“People fought us. A politician even went to court to stop us. But you told us to go ahead ,and this is the result of that courage,” he said.

In further recognition of other national leaders, Wike announced that various halls within the complex have been named after the Vice President- Kashim Shettima, Senate President – Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and the Chief Justice of Nigeria- Kudirat Kekere – Ekun, symbolizing the unity of Nigeria’s three arms of government.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji