The Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to reconsider plans to allocate the Jabi Lake Recreation Area for private development.
Omakwu made the appeal in a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, where she was seen kneeling as she directly addressed the minister.
“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 stressed that the Jabi Lake Recreation Area remains an important public space, widely used by residents for exercise, relaxation, and social interaction.
“That is where people go for exercise… where people meet and hobnob… where young people go to,” she added, urging that the space be preserved for public enjoyment.
The cleric also raised concerns about what she described as the steady decline of accessible public spaces in Abuja, referencing increasing restrictions around areas such as Aso Rock over time.
“I can’t fight you. But I can beg you in the name of God Almighty that that land be left for everybody,” she said.
While making her appeal, Omakwu also acknowledged the FCT minister’s efforts in infrastructure development, particularly road projects that have improved transportation within the capital.
She said, “I want to thank you for all the highways you have built around the city. I thank you. You have made my journey to my home a whole lot easier. Thank you for the other things you are doing. But for this piece of land, I beg you, let it go.”
Her remarks come amid ongoing plans by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to collaborate with private developers on transforming the Jabi Lake area into a modern tourism and recreation centre.
In February, the FCTA signed agreements with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited to upgrade the location in a bid to strengthen tourism and boost economic activity in Abuja.
At the time, Wike stated that the project was aimed at repositioning the capital city as a more attractive destination for leisure, hospitality, and investment.
