…Says Wike’s Transformation Reflects New Nigeria, Urges Payment Culture for Public Facilities
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday commissioned the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre now renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre with a firm declaration that the era of free or sentimental access to public facilities is over.
“Don’t mind the distractors and busybodies,” Tinubu said, turning to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike. “You want to use this place? Then you must pay for it. Obey the landlord!”
The President’s remarks, met with laughter and applause, sent a clear message about the administration’s commitment to accountability, sustainability, and renewed national pride under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ICC, once a symbol of national embarrassment, has been completely transformed into a world-class hub for diplomacy, commerce, and governance—a metamorphosis Tinubu credited to Wike’s visionary leadership.
“When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament here, the place was filthy and disorganised. I told Wike, ‘This does not represent who we are.’ He promised to fix it and today, I’m proud of what I see,” the President recalled.
Tinubu urged Wike to stay focused, praising his bold reforms and urban renewal drive in the capital city.
“Don’t pay attention to busybodies and bystanders,” he repeated. “You’re a transformational leader with the foresight and courage to deliver. Keep going.”
The President said the upgraded ICC is more than just a building—it’s a metaphor for Nigeria’s broader transformation. Under his administration, public infrastructure is being reimagined to meet global standards.
“This centre shows what Nigeria can be. We’re fixing what’s wrong, and showing the world that Nigeria is back with confidence and vision.”
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio shared his dismay at the rundown state of the ICC during a regional event last year. Dim lighting, faulty generators, and peeling walls embarrassed Nigeria before its West African peers.
“Mr. President, you turned to me and asked, ‘Is this what we’re showcasing to West Africa?’” Akpabio recounted. “But thanks to Wike’s swift action, that shame has been erased.”
He praised the renaming of the halls after leaders from the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, calling it a powerful symbol of unity and collective leadership in Nigeria’s ongoing renewal.
“This is transformation, whether people like it or not,” Akpabio added. “The Parliament is proud of you. We approve budgets, but you execute with excellence.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike lauded President Tinubu’s unwavering leadership and the directive that spurred the renovation. He said the project’s success was not just physical but philosophical—signaling that Nigeria demands excellence in all things.
“Because of your instruction, we now have a centre that rivals any in the world,” Wike said.
He made it clear that sentiment and favoritism will no longer influence facility use. Whether government officials or private citizens, all users must pay a fee to access the ICC.
“There is nothing like ‘my brother wants to host a wedding.’ If you want to use this beautiful place, you must drop something,” Wike declared. “That’s the only way we can maintain and sustain it.”
Wike also exposed how the facility had been mismanaged by a politically connected individual who attempted to block the rehabilitation in court.
“If not for your kind of leadership, Mr. President, we would not have succeeded. Our real problem in Nigeria is leadership—and you’ve proven that when it’s right, everything else follows.”
The event drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, all hailing the rebirth of the ICC as a visible symbol of the Renewed Hope Agenda, and a preview of the urban transformation set to define Tinubu’s legacy.
