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

Reno Omokri: I Remain in PDP Despite Serving in Tinubu-Led APC Govt

Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has insisted that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite working with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Omokri reflected on his political journey, stating that he joined the PDP as far back as 1999 at the return of democracy and has remained in the party ever since.

“I became a member of the PDP at the age of 24 in 1999, and for the past twenty-seven years, I have NEVER changed parties,” he wrote.

He explained that his continued association with the PDP is based on ideological beliefs, including support for national unity, free trade, privatisation, and devolution of powers, which he said align with his political philosophy.

Omokri also stated that he has made significant financial contributions to the party over the years, adding that he has consistently supported decisions taken by what he described as the legitimate leadership of the PDP, including its decision to back President Bola Tinubu in the last election cycle.

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“When the court-sanctioned and legitimate leadership of my party decided to support President Bola Tinubu, I joined it and have given, and will continue to give, Asiwaju Tinubu my full and unequivocal support,” he said.

His comments come amid ongoing public debate about political loyalty and cross-party collaboration, particularly involving opposition figures who have taken roles or assignments under the current administration.

Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has remained active in public discourse, often commenting on governance, elections, and political ideology in Nigeria.

He urged Nigerian politicians to adopt ideology-based politics rather than shifting allegiance for personal or political convenience, stressing the importance of consistency in party affiliation.

“If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything,” he added, calling for stronger ideological commitment within Nigeria’s political system.

The statement is likely to further fuel discussions on party loyalty, political realignment, and cross-party cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as more politicians continue to navigate alliances across party lines.

Reno Omokri: I Remain in PDP Despite Serving in Tinubu-Led APC Govt

UNICROSS Students Protest in Calabar Over Death of 3 Students, Driver

Tension erupted in Calabar on Monday as furious students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) took to the streets to protest the death of three students and their driver following a fatal road crash allegedly worsened by negligence at the General Hospital Calabar.

The students marched from the university campus through Mary Slessor Avenue to the General Hospital, where they reportedly destroyed signboards and caused disruptions while accusing hospital staff of failing to provide prompt emergency treatment to the victims after the accident.

From the hospital, the protesters proceeded to the Governor’s Office, where the situation escalated into a confrontation with heavily armed policemen deployed to restore order. Eyewitnesses said security operatives fired teargas to disperse the crowd as tension rose across parts of the city.

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During the clash, several students were reportedly injured, while panic spread inside the hospital premises, forcing some medical personnel to temporarily abandon their duties out of fear of reprisal attacks.

The protest followed a tragic road crash over the weekend involving a vehicle conveying UNICROSS students returning from an official assignment in Akwa Ibom State. The accident claimed the lives of three students and their driver, throwing the university community into mourning.

Angry students accused the hospital of delay and negligence in handling the victims, insisting that quick medical intervention could have saved lives. They demanded accountability from both the hospital authorities and state government over what they described as a “preventable tragedy.”

Confirming the unrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said security operatives were deployed immediately to contain the situation.

“I’ve been right on the scene from the onset, and so far so good; we’ve been able to put the situation under control,” he said.

Police later dispersed the protesters and restored order in the affected areas, although tension remained high around the university and government buildings for several hours.

The incident has sparked renewed public debate over emergency response failures, hospital preparedness, and road safety management in Cross River State, with calls for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

Authorities are expected to continue investigations into both the accident and the circumstances surrounding the alleged hospital delay.

UNICROSS Students Protest in Calabar Over Death of 3 Students, Driver