- Sarah Omakwu had publicly appealed to Nyesom Wike to preserve Jabi Lake as a public space
- She had warned against allocating the area for private development
- Her comments had followed FCTA plans to partner firms to upgrade the site into a tourism hub
The Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, has made a public appeal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging him not to allocate the Jabi Lake recreation area for private development.
Omakwu made the emotional plea in a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, where she was seen kneeling on the pulpit while addressing the minister. In her message, she described the lake as a vital communal space that serves a wide range of social and economic purposes 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.
Highlighting the importance of the location, Omakwu noted that the area functions as a hub for exercise, small-scale trading, social interaction, and leisure activities. According to her, it is also a place where young people gather, families relax, and community events take place.
“That is where people go for exercise. That is where people sell. That is where people meet and hobnob and get married… I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, to not sell that land to anybody,” she added.
The cleric also referenced past developments in the Federal Capital Territory, expressing concern over what she described as the gradual restriction of public access to places such as Aso Rock. She urged the minister to ensure that Jabi Lake remains accessible to all residents.
“I can’t fight you. But I can beg you in the name of God Almighty that that land be left for everybody. I beg you. Please heed our call,” she said.
Despite her concerns, Omakwu commended Wike for ongoing infrastructure improvements across Abuja, particularly road developments that have eased transportation within the city.
Her appeal comes months after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) entered into agreements with private firms, including Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited, to transform Jabi Lake into a major recreational and tourism hub.
Wike had previously stated that the initiative is aimed at repositioning Abuja as a destination for leisure and economic activity. However, Omakwu’s remarks reflect growing public concern over the balance between urban development and the preservation of shared community spaces.