According to a report by Punch News, on Monday, May 4, 2026, the senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, has made a passionate appeal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging him to reconsider any plan that would involve allocating the Jabi Lake recreation area for private or commercial development.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, the cleric was seen on the pulpit in a deeply emotional posture, kneeling as she addressed the minister and expressed her concerns about the future of the popular public space.
She said, “I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother; in this land, the Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody.
Omakwu explained that Jabi Lake has become an important social and recreational destination for residents of Abuja.
According to her, the space serves multiple purposes for the public, including a place where people engage in physical exercise, trade, social interaction, and even community gatherings.
She stressed that it is also a location where families meet, young people relax, and social bonds are formed, describing it as a vibrant part of everyday life in the capital city.
She further noted that the area is not just a leisure spot but also a cultural and social hub where residents come together to watch events, interact freely, and enjoy the open environment.
She emphasised that such a space should remain accessible to everyone rather than being converted into a privately controlled development.
The cleric also referenced concerns about urban development trends in Abuja, pointing out that some previously open and accessible areas have gradually become restricted over time.
She used this as part of her argument to encourage the preservation of Jabi Lake as a public recreational asset for present and future generations.
Despite her strong plea, Omakwu acknowledged the efforts of the FCT minister in improving infrastructure within the capital.
She commended ongoing road construction and other development projects, noting that they have significantly eased transportation and improved connectivity across the city.
Her remarks come in the wake of recent agreements between the Federal Capital Territory Administration and private sector partners aimed at transforming Jabi Lake into a modern recreational and tourism hub.
Earlier in February, the FCTA, under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, signed development partnerships with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited to upgrade the facility and enhance its tourism potential.
According to the minister, the initiative is part of a broader plan to reposition Abuja as a more attractive destination for leisure, tourism, and economic investment, while also improving the city’s recreational infrastructure….See More
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