The Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, Sarah Omakwu, has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, not to allocate the Jabi Lake recreation area to private entities.

Omakwu appealed in a video posted on her official Instagram page on Sunday, urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, not to allocate the land for private development.

According to the Video obtained by TVC News on Monday, Omakwu was seen kneeling on the pulpit while making a public appeal to the minister.

She said, “I cannot fight the Minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land, that Jabi Lake, Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody. That is where people go for exercise. That is where people sell. That is where people meet and hobnob and get married. That is where people go to watch games. This is where young people go.

“I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, to not sell that land to anybody. I’m not fighting you, I can’t fight you. But I can beg you in the name of God Almighty, that that land be left for everybody. I beg you. Please heed our call.”

The cleric clarified that her appeal was not intended to spark a public or social media confrontation with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

She stressed that the Jabi Lake has long served as a recreational centre for residents, as well as a source of livelihood for traders who sell their wares there, warning that many could be adversely affected if the area is allocated for private development.

Omakwu added, “I’m not fighting with you, I’m not joining issues with anybody on social media. This is, I slept with it as a burden. That’s why I’m coming to you. That land should not be sold to anybody. So that it can just be the land for everybody. Where people can go and sell their little wares. Where people can go and just chill. A place where, when somebody feels like they are depressed and they want to die, they can go and just chill, and God will restore them.”

Despite her appeal, she commended the minister for ongoing infrastructure development in the Federal Capital Territory, noting that the development has ensured her ease of movement within the city.

“So I am begging you, Mr Minister, please let that land go. Let it go for everybody. And I know you will hear, because I know you love the people. Before I end, I want to thank you for all the highways you have built around the city. I thank you. You have made my journey to my home a whole lot easier. Thank you. I thank you for the other things you are doing. But for this piece of land, I beg you, let it go. Thank you, sir,” she concluded.

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