Pastor Omakwu Kneels, Appeals to Wike Over Jabi Lake Land Use
A dramatic public appeal has emerged from Abuja as Sarah Omakwu, Senior Pastor of the Family Worship Centre, knelt during a church service to plead with Nyesom Wike to stop plans that could lead to the privatization or redevelopment of Jabi Lake Recreation Centre.
According to Global Mirror News, the cleric made the emotional appeal in a video shared on her Instagram page, where she was seen on her knees on the pulpit while directly addressing the FCT Minister.
She warned against any move to allocate the recreational facility to private developers, stressing that Jabi Lake remains one of Abuja’s most important public spaces used for exercise, relaxation, trade, and social gatherings.
“I cannot fight the Minister of the FCT. I cannot,” she said. “But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody.”
She explained that the area serves as a vital community hub where residents meet, engage in sports, and hold social activities, adding that losing it would negatively affect public life in the capital.
Global Mirror News further reports that Omakwu referenced past urban development trends in Abuja, noting that public access to some areas had gradually been restricted over time, including sensitive zones around the capital.
Despite her appeal, she also commended ongoing infrastructural projects under Wike’s leadership, particularly road construction projects that have improved mobility within the city.
“I thank you for all the highways you have built. You have made my journey easier. But for this land, I beg you—please leave it for everybody,” she added.
The appeal comes amid existing plans by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which has previously entered into partnerships with private firms to upgrade Jabi Lake into a modern tourism and recreation hub aimed at boosting Abuja’s economic and leisure appeal.
However, the proposal continues to generate public debate over the balance between urban development and preservation of open community spaces.
