Ortom, Okpebholo in attendance as Wike holds thanksgiving service for successful inauguration of FCT projects

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and the current Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, were among prominent figures who attended a thanksgiving service hosted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, today, Sunday, July 6, 2025.

The service was held to celebrate the successful inauguration of various development projects across the FCT.

During the service, the Vicar of St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, Ben Idume, described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a visionary leader who appointed a former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, as a minister because he knew Wike would perform.

Idume stated this during the thanksgiving service for the completion of projects executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, led by Wike, who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I will not fail to thank President Tinubu who appointed this man to be minister because.

“The President, himself, is a visionary president. He can see vision somehow. That was why he saw that this man (Wike) can do something.

“Tinubu can see vision, whether he closes his eyes or opens them.

“So, the President is a visionary president, so we thank him for making us happy in the FCT.”

In May, the FCT minister announced a 19-day project inauguration exercise, which commenced on June 10, to commemorate the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

While the 19-day inauguration lasted, front-page advertorials were placed in many newspapers across the country.

Some of the projects inaugurated during the period included the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC), the road linking Idu with Zuba; the road linking A2 junction to Pai town; and the road from Life Camp junction to Ring Road.

The renovated ICC was inaugurated by Tinubu and renamed after the president.

The sum of N39 billion was spent on the renovation of the facility — a development that elicited criticisms.

Defending the N39 billion spent on the renovation, Wike said those criticising the project “do not have good taste”.

“Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, must not only show that it is the giant of Africa; people must see what makes you to be the giant of Africa,” the minister had said.

“Nobody who loves this country would criticise the International Conference Centre.”