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ABUJA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE RENAMED AFTER PRESIDENT TINUBU

The Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) has been renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The renaming ceremony took place during the reopening of the renovated ICC on Tuesday in Abuja. Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, announced that President Tinubu directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to pay for the use of the facility to ensure its upkeep and long-term sustainability. Onanuga said the President was impressed with the high-quality renovation carried out by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. During the event, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike announced the renaming of the Centre, which opened in 1991. President Tinubu recalled his previous visit to the Centre during the 2024 ECOWAS Parliament conference, where he was shocked at its poor state. “When I attended the ECOWAS Parliament conference, the environment was dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable. I turned to Mr. Wike and said, ‘This Conference Centre does not reflect who we are. Have we sunk this low?’” Onanuga noted that the President praised Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for delivering a high-quality renovation. Tinubu said, “The International Conference Centre is part of our country’s larger vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade discussions, global partnerships, and other thoughtful, well-outlined goals that reflect our ‘Nigeria First’ principle.” Wike said the FCT transformed the facility within eight months after the President’s directive. “Mr. President, this transformation would not have been possible without your leadership. Many presidents have come here, but none said this was not what Nigeria needed because they lacked your courage and vision,” he said. Onanuga further quoted Wike as saying, “Whether you are a ministry or an agency, you must pay something to use this facility. That is the only way we can sustain it.” Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the FCT Administration for naming halls at the Centre after the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria. President Tinubu commended Wike for his vision and execution, saying, “Do not pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Whatever they say, continue your good work. You are a transformational leader with foresight, vision, and determination.”