Wike Unveils Plan for World-Class Life Camp Park, Announces Abuja’s First Official New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled plans to transform the abandoned Life Camp Recreational Park into a world-class leisure destination, while also announcing that Abuja will host its first official New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the iconic City Gate beginning this year.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, disclosed the plans on Monday during an inspection of the long-neglected recreational park along Jeremiah Useni Way in Abuja.
According to the minister, the redevelopment forms part of the FCTA’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Green Area Initiative, an environmental programme championed by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, which encourages the restoration of green spaces and the creation of healthier urban environments.
Wike revealed that the FCTA received a Certificate of Commendation from the First Lady earlier on Monday in recognition of its commitment to the initiative. He said the honour has further strengthened the administration’s resolve to revive abandoned public spaces across the nation’s capital.
“We promised the First Lady that this recognition would inspire us to do more. One of the immediate steps we are taking is the complete transformation of the abandoned Life Camp Recreation Centre into a modern recreational facility,” the minister said.
Describing the park as a location with enormous potential, Wike lamented years of neglect despite its attractive landscape and strategic location. He said the administration intends to develop the facility into a modern destination comparable to recreational parks in major cities around the world.
The proposed redevelopment will include state-of-the-art sporting facilities, walking and fitness tracks, landscaped gardens, relaxation areas, children’s play spaces, and other eco-friendly amenities designed to encourage healthy living and family recreation.
According to him, the project reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by improving residents’ quality of life through better public infrastructure and accessible recreational spaces.
“Our goal is to restore hope by creating an environment where families can relax, exercise and enjoy quality recreational facilities without having to travel long distances,” he stated.
Wike directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, to immediately invite Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and other reputable construction firms to submit competing world-class designs for the project.
He added that the redevelopment has been classified as an emergency project and is expected to be completed within one year.
Abuja City Gate to Host Annual Fireworks Celebration
Beyond the Life Camp Park project, the minister also announced plans to establish an annual New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration at the recently upgraded Abuja City Gate.
He said the initiative will commence this year and is intended to position Abuja alongside major world capitals that welcome the New Year with spectacular public fireworks displays and community celebrations.
The annual event, according to Wike, will further enhance Abuja’s image as a modern capital city while creating new opportunities for tourism, entertainment and public engagement.
The twin initiatives underscore the FCTA’s broader vision of transforming Abuja into a greener, more vibrant and globally competitive capital with world-class recreational infrastructure and memorable public experiences for residents and visitors alike.
