President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, conducted the inauguration of the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre, which now bears his name.
The event, held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was attended by key government officials, including the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other top functionaries.
Wike, in his speech at the ceremony, tried to justify the controversial decision to rename the centre after Tinubu, attributing the successful renovation to the President’s leadership.
He said, “It is important for the public to know and understand why this is called 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. Last year, July/August, you (Tinubu) came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament. It is an embarrassment for a country to still have this as an international conference (centre) then, and you said, ‘how can we have this’? That shows leadership.
“And you (Tinubu) said, ‘Next time you want to come here, you want to see a different international conference. Within eight months, Mr President, this is what we have. And I agree that without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible. You’re not the only President who has come here; so many Presidents have come here, and nobody has said this is what Nigeria needs.
“Today, this is the Bola Ahmed International Conference Centre, which can match any other international conference centre.”
The centre, initially constructed in 1991 during the military regime of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, had suffered years of neglect and underutilisation despite its prime status as a national conference facility.
In March, Wike disclosed that the renovation of the facility would cost the country a staggering N39 billion, a revelation that drew sharp criticism from many Nigerians already grappling with economic hardship and inflation.
Wike defended the cost at a media briefing in Abuja, claiming President Tinubu approved the funds and that the project was essential for Nigeria’s global image.
“I am pleased with what is happening. Julius Berger has promised us that they will complete it. The total cost is N39 billion, not N39 million,” he said.
“Furthermore, all the required materials are available. When discussing the percentage of work progress, it is essential to consider the work completed and the on-site materials. I can confidently say that work is 70 to 80 per cent complete, and they have assured us they will finish and hand it over by May.
“For everyone’s satisfaction, coming from a country like this, we cannot discuss having a befitting conference centre. What is the essence of Nigeria, the largest nation? Are we merely large in name? We travel globally and observe standards; why should our own be different?”
