FCT: Pastor Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Recreation Land

FCT: Pastor Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Recreation Land

The Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to halt any plan to allocate the Jabi Lake recreation area for private development.

In a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, the cleric was seen kneeling on the pulpit as she made an emotional appeal, urging the minister to preserve the facility as a public space for residents of Abuja.

“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” she said.

She explained that the Jabi Lake area serves multiple purposes for residents, including exercise, relaxation, trading activities, social gatherings, and recreational events. According to her, the space has become an important part of community life in the capital city.

“That is where people go for exercise. That is where people sell. That is where people meet and hobnob and get married. That is where young people go to. I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, not to sell that land to anybody,” she added.

Omakwu also referenced concerns about past urban developments in Abuja, noting that some public access areas had become restricted over time, including parts of government-controlled zones.

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Despite her appeal, she commended Wike for ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly road construction and urban renewal efforts that she said have improved mobility within the city.

“I want to thank you for all the highways you have built around the city. You have made my journey to my home a whole lot easier,” she said, while still urging him to reconsider plans for the Jabi Lake site.

The appeal comes months after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) entered into public-private partnership agreements to redevelop the Jabi Lake corridor into a modern recreational and tourism hub.

In February, the FCTA signed development deals with private firms including Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited, aimed at upgrading facilities around the lake to boost tourism, investment, and leisure activities in Abuja.

Officials had previously stated that the initiative is part of broader efforts to reposition the capital city as a destination for tourism, recreation, and economic development, while attracting private sector investment into underutilised public assets.

The Jabi Lake redevelopment plan has continued to generate public debate, with some residents supporting the project for its economic potential, while others insist the area should remain a fully public recreational space.

As discussions continue, the FCTA has not issued a new response specifically addressing the pastor’s appeal, but earlier statements suggest the project remains part of its urban renewal and economic expansion strategy for Abuja.

FCT: Pastor Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Recreation Land