Posterity will judge you well for the development of FCT — First Lady tells Wike

By Precious Mark

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has hailed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike for transforming Abuja’s City Gate into a major recreational landmark, declaring that posterity will judge his administration kindly for its environmental and infrastructural achievements.

Speaking on Monday during a ceremony honoring the FCT Administration for its environmental stewardship, the First Lady described the remodeled City Gate as an unbelievable achievement that sets a new benchmark for public space renewal across the country.

The recognition comes under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge, an initiative designed to encourage communities and state governments to reclaim neglected spaces and turn them into eco-friendly parks.

Addressing guests at the event, Senator Tinubu expressed disappointment that no state entered for the ₦50 million prize in the challenge’s Community Category, urging state leaders and governors’ wives to actively involve young people in environmental conservation.

“It was a N50 million prize money and they didn’t enter. This was supposed to get our youth involved.”

“The remodeled 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,” the First Lady noted.

In his response, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike revealed that the inspiration for the City Gate project came directly from the First Lady, who encouraged his administration to adopt international standards seen in major capitals across the world.

Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration re-engaged the original designers of the landmark to create a modern recreational center, adding that similar green infrastructure projects are already planned for other parts of the territory, including the Life Camp district.

“When leaders point out what needs to be done, the right response is to improve. That is exactly what we have done,” Wike stated, emphasizing that clean and well-maintained green spaces are essential for any thriving capital city.

The high point of the event was the presentation of a Certificate of Commendation by the First Lady to Minister Wike and the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.

Organizers reminded the public that the Household and State categories of the Green Nigeria Challenge remain open to participants until December 20, 2026.