Abuja: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured the diplomatic community of a secured and enabling environment to carry out their businesses in Abuja. Wike gave the assurance at the European Union Complex, Abuja, during the Saint Patrick’s Day Reception and official opening of the new Embassy of Ireland in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, emphasized that President Bola Tinubu was transforming Abuja into a competitive capital city. Wike stated, “We owe you a duty to make sure that we create the right environment for you to work and thrive. I want to assure you that we want to make Abuja one of the best capital cities in the world.” He further assured the diplomatic community of continued efforts to provide an enabling environment, particularly concerning security.
Wike expressed the FCT administration’s willingness to strengthen partnerships with the diplomatic community. He congratulated the Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, on the occasion of Saint Patrick’s Day and the official opening of the new Embassy building. The Minister clarified that his remarks were not on behalf of the Federal Government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but as the FCT Minister and their landlord.
He advised the embassies to develop the plots of land allocated to them in the FCT to avoid being taken over by land grabbers. “We have written to the affected embassies to come and collect their lands back and develop them,” he noted. Wike also mentioned the possibility of visiting Ireland, honoring Ryan’s invitation, especially with Onueze Okocha now Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ireland.
The event saw the attendance of Mr. Jack Chamber, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, along with other members of the diplomatic community.