The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday disclosed why the International Conference Centre, ICC, was renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Speaking during the commissioning of the renovated facility, Wike said the President showed leadership by ordering it’s renovation.
Wike said: “It’s necessary for people to understand why this is now Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. This was built in 1991 under the military government and since then, nothing has happened to this international conference centre.
“Last year, you came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament and it was an embarrassment for a country to have this as an international conference centre then and you said ‘how can we have this as an international conference centre?’
“That showed leadership and you said look next time you come here, you want to see a different facility, within eight months this is what we have.
“Without your leadership, it wouldn’t have been possible – you are not the only President who has been here, so many presidents have come here and none said this is not what Nigeria needs.
“You gave a marching order that this is not the quality to show that Nigeria is the giant of Africa. Today, this Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre can match any other international conference centre.”
The minister also warned that anybody, ministry, or agency of government interested in using the facility must pay.
Wike noted that money generated from its usage will be used to maintain the facility.
“What I want to appeal Mr President because I know pressure will come. How do we sustain this? I want to let everybody know that whether you are a ministry or agency that wants to use this, you have to pay something. That is the only way it will be sustained.
“Pressure came from left, right, and centre but you said go ahead and rehabilitate that place. Our problem is leadership, when we have the right leadership, things will be done and that is what you have shown today,” he added.
