President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has thrown his weight behind the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, asking him to ignore distractions from critics and stay focused on transforming the capital city.
Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday during the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja. The facility, which was built in 1991 during General Ibrahim Babangida’s military administration, had fallen into disrepair before its facelift by Julius Berger.
In his address, President Tinubu praised Wike for the speedy turnaround of the ICC, noting that the rehabilitation aligns with his administration’s broader goal of improving national infrastructure and redefining governance.
“This is part of the efforts to change the way we do things and reflect us as people of quality and character,” Tinubu stated.
Responding to Wike’s comments about pressure and interference from unnamed individuals concerning the project, the president told the FCT Minister to remain steadfast.
“Don’t pay attention to the busybody and the bystanders. Whatever they say, continue with your good work. You’re a transformational leader, you have the foresight and determination to succeed,” Tinubu affirmed.
Wike had earlier disclosed that the ICC had become an "eyesore" after decades of neglect, noting that no major renovation had taken place since its initial construction. He lauded President Tinubu for giving him a clear directive to rehabilitate the centre, which he said made the work easier.
On maintenance and sustainability, the minister declared that the facility would no longer be used for free by government agencies or private individuals.
“How do we sustain this? I want to let everybody know — whether you’re a ministry or an agency — if you want to use this, you have to pay something. That’s the only way it can be sustained. Nothing like ‘my brother, my sister is having a wedding,’” Wike emphasized.
President Tinubu echoed this point, stressing that the new model would ensure that public facilities remain functional and are not run aground by misuse and neglect.
The upgraded conference centre has since been named after President Bola Tinubu, a move seen by many as recognition of his administration’s role in revitalizing a key national asset.
