Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has officially renamed the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) as the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, in honour of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister announced the renaming during the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated centre on Tuesday in Abuja.
He stated that several halls within the facility have been named after Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola.
“These are the three arms of the government working together. It’s only right that they are recognised within this iconic structure that represents national unity and leadership.”
The Minister emphasized that the ICC, originally built in 1991 and left in a poor state for decades, had undergone a major transformation within eight months under President Tinubu’s administration.
“Without Mr. President’s leadership and directive, this wouldn’t have been possible. Today, this Centre can stand shoulder to shoulder with any international conference centre around the world.”
To ensure sustainability and maintenance of the facility, Wike announced that all users including government ministries and agencies would be required to pay for access.
“If you want to use a place like this, then you must drop something,” he said. “That’s the only way it can be sustained. No more free access, no more sentiments.”
Wike also hinted that the facility had previously been mismanaged by a politically connected individual who even tried to block the rehabilitation through legal action.
