By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has explained the reasons behind the renaming of the newly commissioned renovated International Conference Centre in Abuja after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made the disclosure during the commissioning ceremony of the Centre which was performed by President Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday.
He disclosed that since the building was constructed in 1991 at the time of military government up to the time President Tinubu was sworn in in 2023, no any meaningful form of renovation was carried out on the edifice.
“It is important to understand and know why it is named Bola Ahmed Tinubu International conference center. This Conference centre was built in 1991 under the military government. Since that time, there has never been a time meaningful renovation was done to the international conference centre.
“Last year sometime during December, you came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament and it was an embarrassment for a country to have this as international Conference then, and you said how can we have this as an International Conference Centre. That showed leadership and you said, the next time you come here you want to see a different international Conference Centre.
“Within 8 months Mr. President, this is what we have and I appeal that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible. You are not the only president who has been here. So many presidents have come and nobody has said this is not what Nigeria needs. But because of your leadership, you gave a marching order, stating tht this is not the quality to show that Nigeria is a giant of Africa.
“Today this Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre can march any other international Conference Center.”
