UPDATED: TINUBU COMMISSIONS RENOVATED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE RENAMED IN HIS HONOUR (PHOTOS)
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By: Sefiu Ajape
…Mandates Payment For Its Usage
The Abuja International Conference Centre, ICC, has been renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
The renovated and refurbished International Conference Centre was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu upon his arrival from Lagos on Tuesday, where he spent his Eid holidays.
Speaking at the commissioning, Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging him not to be distracted by busybodies and naysayers but to focus on his mandate to transform the nation’s capital.
The President said the refurbished international conference centre was part of his administration’s “determined efforts to change the way we do things, to reflect us as people of quality, people of character, people of determination, people of great spirits—that’s what we are.”
“And I am glad, Nyesom Wike, you are reflecting that. Don’t pay attention to busybodies and the bystanders and whatever they say. Continue with your good work. You are a transformational leader. You have the vision, foresight and determination to succeed,” Tinubu said.
The President said his administration was aware that modern infrastructure remained the backbone of economic prosperity.
He said, “Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are determined to renew the infrastructural and other key sectors of this country (including) transportation, healthcare, education, energy and urban development.
“Because we understand that modern infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving economy in an inclusive and progressive society.”
Tinubu also said the rehabilitated conference centre was a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to “regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnerships, and many more thoughtful, well-outlined goals that reflect our Nigerian first.”
The president also informed his political friends, appointees and government officials that there won’t be free usage of the conference centre for social or corporate events.
“You must obey what the landlord says. You want to use this place, you gonna pay for it,” Tinubu said in allusion to the statement earlier made by the FCT minister that the usage of the halls in the conference centre would attract fees.
While speaking at the inauguration, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disclosed that other halls in the facility had been renamed after Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kekere-Ekun.
“Today, this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can stand any other International Conference Centre. And in doing that, because the National Assembly has also supported us, I have told you that as we were inspecting the project, at the back, we have two halls. We have to remember those who have also supported the FCT. The National Assembly is one such arm of government.
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“So we have named one hall Tajudeen Abbas hall, we have named Godswill Akpabio hall, and your Vice President, we have named one of these halls after the Vice President, and then the CJN, we have also named one of the halls after the CJN. And these are the three arms of the government, working together.
“So I just said since it is a property under you, and the building is under you, then, it should have small names on those halls, but it should be under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre,” he said.
“It is important for the public to understand and to know why today, this is called the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. This Conference Centre was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, nothing has happened to this International Conference Centre.
Wike also ascribed the completion of the rehabilitated conference centre to the leadership of President Tinubu, stating, “Within eight months, Mr. President, this is what we have. And I agree that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
The minister also stated that any ministries or government agencies willing to use the Conference Centre will be made to pay going forward, to ensure the proper maintenance of the ICC.
“How do we sustain this? I want to let everybody know, whether you’re a Ministry, whether you’re an agency, 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 going to have a wedding. If you want to use a place like this, such a beautiful place, then you must drop something,” he said.
The event was also attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Ministers Wale Edun (Finance and Economy) and Lateef Fagbemi (Justice), among others.
Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two-time governor of Rivers State, made the cabinet of the president, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in August 2023.
Aside from Wike, another member of the opposition who made the APC government cabinet later in October 2024 was Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs despite being a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
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