Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has instructed team members to rapidly redesign and upgrade the abandoned Life Camp Recreation Park into a modern leisure and athletic complex, framing the emergency project as a way to improve residents’ quality of life.
The minister made the decision on Monday after touring the neglected recreational garden at the Life Camp Roundabout, barely hours after receiving a Certificate of Commendation from First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge.
Wike stated that the accolade—which followed the successful renovation of the Abuja City Gate into a recreational and environmental monument—prompted the FCT Administration to invest in more green and public areas across the nation’s capital.
He said, “Today, by the grace of God, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, gave the Federal Capital Territory Administration an award and commendation over our contribution to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge and how we have been able to turn around the City Gate into recreation centres and make the environment greener.”
Speaking further, Wike claims that the revamped Abuja City Gate has quickly become one of the city’s most popular attractions.
Turning to the abandoned Life Camp park, the minister lamented its long-term neglect, claiming that previous administrations failed to capitalise on its immense recreational potential.
Additionally, Wike explained that the administration intends to rehabilitate the park with world-class amenities for residents seeking entertainment, exercise, and relaxation.
New Year Fire Work at Abuja City Gate
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, also announced that Abuja will, for the first time, host a New Year fireworks display at the City Gate, describing the initiative as a step towards aligning the capital with global cities.
He said, “Just like it is done all over the world, where cities usher in the New Year with fireworks, that is what we intend to do this year at the City Gate. By the grace of God, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, we will, for the first time in this country, celebrate the New Year in that manner.”
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Backstory…
This comes few months after the FCT minister revealed plans to privatise the Jabi Lake park in the FCT.
Recall that in February, Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited signed development agreements with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to transform Jabi Lake into a major leisure centre in Abuja.
However, Masalaha Law & Associates strongly resisted the move, issuing a formal pre-action notice to the minister over an alleged lack of transparency and concerns regarding ongoing developments within the park.
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