Ignore busybodies, bystanders, Tinubu tells Wike at reopening of centre.

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to remain focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects in the face of criticism, urging him to ignore “busybodies and bystanders”.

The President made this statement during the official commissioning of the rehabilitated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, where he praised Wike’s commitment to excellence and bold approach to leadership.

“Don’t pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders. Whatever they say, continue to do your good work,” Tinubu told Wike. “You are a transformational leader. You have the foresight, the vision, and the determination to succeed.”

The President’s public endorsement of Wike comes amid complaints and criticisms surrounding the minister’s style of administration. Tinubu’s remarks appear to be a direct message of support, signalling that results, not rhetoric, remain the yardstick for performance under his government.

Recalling his past visit to the centre during an ECOWAS Parliament session, Tinubu described the facility as previously “dirty, disorganised, and uninhabitable.” He revealed how that experience prompted a frank exchange with Wike, who, at the time, promised to overhaul the centre. The President expressed satisfaction that Wike had kept his word.

“I turned to Wike and said that this conference centre is not reflecting who we are. Have we sunk this low? He said, ‘No, but bear with us, we will transform the place.’ And today, I am very happy,” Tinubu remarked.

He framed the centre’s rehabilitation as part of a broader national effort under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s infrastructure across key sectors, including transportation, healthcare, education, and urban development. He said: “This is about who we are; a people of quality, character, and great spirit.

“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are determined to renew infrastructure and believe in ourselves, in what we can do and what we can be – a great nation on earth.”

Tinubu also stressed the importance of proper management and accountability, stating: “You must obey what the landlord said. If you want to use this place, you must pay for it.”

The refurbished conference centre, he noted, is not just a symbol of aesthetic improvement but a strategic asset in Nigeria’s vision to become a hub for regional diplomacy, continental trade, and global partnerships.

Meanwhile, Wike renamed the Conference Centre after the President. The rehabilitated event centre is now called Bola Ahmed Tinubu International

 Conference Centre.