By Stanley Onyekwere
Following the completion of the rehabilitation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, President Bola Tinubu yesterday commissioned and reopened the facility for operations.
Performing the official commissioning of the state-of-the art facility, the President recalled that when he attended the conference of ECOWAS Parliament there, it was in a very dilapidated state, dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable environment.
Tinubu, who expressed excitement over the newly renovated conference centre, renamed after him ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, said it is now reflecting Nigerians as people of quality, character, determination and great spirit.
According to him, the ICC is part of the country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnership and many more thoughtful, well outlined goals that reflect ‘Nigeria First’.
He said: “Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are determined to renew infrastructure across the key sectors of this country – transportation, health care, education, energy and urban development.
“Because you understand that modern infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving economy in an inclusive and progressive society.
“You must obey what the landlord said – you want to use this place, you must pay for it.”
While commending the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the President said: “You are a transformational leader, you have the foresight, the vision and the determination to succeed. Thank you very much.
“Don’t pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Whatever they say, continue to do your good work.”
Similarly, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who noted that prior to renovation of the facility, it was a monumental embarrassment as the centre was in a total state of despair, commended Tinubu and Wike for delivery on their promise to change the narrative about the place.
He said: “Mr. President, the renovation, rehabilitation, and transformation that we are witnessing in the ICC is what we are bringing to this country, whether people like it or not.
“The Nigerian Parliament is very proud of you. We are proud of the fact that we do the budgeting, we give the approvals, and you do the execution.”
Ealier, Wike, who announced renaming of Abuja ICC, described the facility as world-class edifice that requires regular maintenance culture.
He added that all prospective users of the renovated facility, regardless of status, will be required to pay for its use.
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