Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Sarah Omakwu, has publicly appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urging him not to allocate the Jabi Lake recreational area for private development.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, the cleric was seen kneeling at the pulpit as she passionately made her plea. She stated that while she could not confront the minister, she was appealing to him as a concerned mother.
Omakwu stressed the importance of the Jabi Lake space, describing it as a vital hub where residents gather for exercise, social activities, business, and relaxation. She urged the minister to preserve the area for public use rather than handing it over to private interests.
She also expressed concerns about the gradual loss of open recreational spaces in Abuja, noting that many locations once accessible to the public have become restricted over time.
Despite her appeal, the pastor acknowledged Wike’s efforts in improving infrastructure across the FCT, particularly road development, which she said has made commuting easier. However, she insisted that Jabi Lake should remain untouched for the benefit of all residents.
Her remarks come months after the Federal Capital Territory Administration entered into a partnership with private firms to redevelop the Jabi Lake area into a major leisure and tourism destination in Abuja.