The senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, on Sunday knelt on the pulpit as she appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike not to allocate the Jabi Lake for private development.
In a video shared on Instagram on Sunday, Pastor Omakwu said she could not confront the minister but chose to plead with him, asking that the Jabi Lake recreation area remain open to the public.
“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 said the location is used for exercise, trading and social gatherings, adding that young people also use the space for leisure and events.
“That is where people go for exercise. That is where people sell. That is where people meet and hobnob and get married. That is where people go to watch games. That is where young people go to. I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, to not sell that land to anybody,” she added.
Omakwu also raised concerns about previous developments in Abuja, citing how access to Aso Rock became restricted over time.
She urged the minister to preserve the area as a public space for 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 appeal, she acknowledged ongoing infrastructure work in the Federal Capital Territory and thanked the minister for road projects, noting that they had improved movement within the city.
Sarah Omakwu comments come months after the Federal Capital Territory Administration signed agreements with private firms to develop the Jabi Lake area.
In February, the administration entered into a partnership with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited to upgrade the facility and promote tourism in Abuja.
Wike had said the plan was to position the capital as a centre for leisure and economic activities.
