The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made the announcement during the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated facility on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the centre will now be known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
According to the Minister, the renaming was in recognition of Tinubu’s leadership and the role he played in facilitating the successful renovation of the long-abandoned complex.
“This Conference Centre was built in 1991 under the military regime, and since then, nothing was done to maintain or upgrade it,” Wike said.
“Within eight months, Mr President, this is what we have achieved under your leadership. And I agree that without your support, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
In addition to the main hall being renamed after President Tinubu, Wike also announced that other halls within the complex now bear the names of notable leaders who have contributed to the development of the FCT.
These include Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola.
“We have to remember those who have also supported the FCT. The National Assembly is one such arm of government,” Wike said during his address.
“So we’ve named one hall Tajudeen Abbas Hall, another Godswill Akpabio Hall. One is named after the Vice President, and another after the CJN. These are the three arms of government working together.”
He added, “Since the property is under your [Tinubu’s] administration and the building was completed under your tenure, the entire facility is appropriately named after you the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.”
Wike also stressed the importance of maintaining the newly refurbished facility, noting that henceforth, all users including government agencies and ministries would be required to pay a fee.
“Whether you’re a ministry, an agency, or an individual, if you want to use this place, you have to pay. That’s the only way it can be sustained,” he emphasized.
“No more ‘my brother or sister is getting married’ if you want to use a place like this, a beautiful place like this, you must drop something.”
