By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has praised the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his numerous capital projects and his environmental protection record, especially the greening transformation in the FCT.
Remi, wife of the President, commended the FCT Minister for transforming Abuja’s City Gate into a major recreational and environmental landmark.
She urged states to emulate the FCT Minister and engage youths in environmental protection and city beautification.
She was speaking during a ceremony to honour the FCT Administration for its environmental efforts, which she said is in line with the just-concluded category of the ongoing Green Nigeria Challenge of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Tinubu said she was impressed by the transformation of the City Gate, describing it as “unbelievable.”
She stated that despite a ₦50 million prize set aside under the Green Challenge to encourage states to reclaim abandoned spaces and dumpsites, no state entered for that category of the competition.
“It was a ₦50 million prize money, and they didn’t enter. This was supposed to get our youth involved,” she said.
The First Lady explained that the initiative was designed to encourage states to convert neglected public spaces into clean and attractive environments.
“The transformation reflects the vision behind the just concluded Community Category of the Challenge, which was designed to encourage youth groups to transform degraded public spaces, including dumpsites and abandoned areas, into green parks, gardens and other eco-friendly spaces.
“Our goal is to complement the government’s effort in beautifying our environment and promoting healthier communities towards improving the quality of life of our people,” she emphasised.
“The remodelled Abuja City Gate is an excellent example of what abandoned public areas can become: a transformed key national landmark that warmly welcomes all Nigerians and visitors to our nation’s capital.
“When I saw what he (Wike) did with the City Gate, my God, unbelievable, unbelievable. I want to thank him. He’s done very well. This was to turn around abandoned spaces, dumpsites, and we see a lot of it around the states.”
Tinubu also appealed to wives of state governors to mobilise the youth to participate in environmental clubs and sustainability initiatives in schools and tertiary institutions.
“I’m using this opportunity to appeal to our First Ladies: Get our young children into the environmental clubs and environmental societies for our youth in tertiary institutions.
“I remember when I was in the College of Education, I was a member of the Youth Environmental Programme for West Africa. We travelled from Nigeria throughout West Africa by road. It was a memorable experience for us.”
According to the First Lady, young people must be encouraged to contribute to national development through environmental stewardship.
“We have to engage our young people and make sure that they can help build. Everybody has something to contribute to this country. It’s a great country, and that’s why we are doing all we can.”
In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, revealed that the First Lady personally inspired the transformation of Abuja’s City Gate.
“The First Lady has to be commended for the FCT keying into the Renewed Hope Green Initiative because she has always said we have to change our environment and create opportunities where people can gather and relax.”
On the heels of this development, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday started the process of another relaxation park in the abandoned roundabout park facility in Life Camp area of the FCT, near the minister’s official residence.
