In a video posted on her Instagram page on Sunday, Omakwu was seen kneeling on the pulpit as she directly made her plea to the minister.

She said she had no intention of confronting the FCT Minister but was speaking to him “as a mother” concerned about the future of public recreational spaces in the capital.

“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 Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” she said.

She explained that the area serves as a public hub for exercise, social interaction, commerce, recreation, and youth activities.

“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. That is where young people go to. I beg you, Mr Minister, in the name of God, as a mother, to not sell that land to anybody,” she added.

Omakwu further expressed concern about the gradual restriction of public access to recreational spaces in Abuja over the years, urging that Jabi Lake be preserved for public use.

“I can’t fight you. But I can beg you in the name of God Almighty that that land be left for everybody. Please heed our call,” she said.

Despite her appeal, the cleric also commended Wike for ongoing infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory, particularly road construction.

She said, “I want to thank you for all the highways you have built around the city. You have made my journey to my home a whole lot easier. Thank you for the other things you are doing. But for this piece of land, I beg you, let it go.”

Her comments come months after the Federal Capital Territory Administration signed agreements with private firms to develop Jabi Lake into a major recreational and tourism hub under a public-private partnership arrangement aimed at boosting leisure and economic activity in Abuja.

Nigeria had earlier opened their qualification drive on Day One with a mixed 4x100m ticket after setting a new African record, though they missed out in five other events. The repechage round, however, provided another opportunity, which the team capitalised on by securing two more qualifications.

The mixed 4x400m team comprising Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George produced a season’s best time of 3:12.88 to finish second behind South Africa, who narrowly won in 3:12.77 after a closely contested finish. Okon-George held off late pressure from Germany to ensure Nigeria booked their second ticket to Beijing.

Nigeria found redemption in the women’s 4x100m relay after earlier baton exchange issues. Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe, and Miracle Ezechukwu ran a season’s best 42.94s to place second behind France and secure qualification.

The men’s 4x100m quartet of Favour Ashe, James Emmanuel, Tejiri Godwin, and Chidera Ezeakor recorded 38.50s but finished third behind Belgium and Jamaica, missing out on qualification.

The men’s 4x400m team also fell short, clocking 3:01.43 to narrowly miss out behind Spain and Senegal despite strong performances from Gafar Badmus, Emmanuel Ojeli, Victor Ime, and Ezekiel Asuquo.

Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team did not start their repechage race, leaving the country with a total of three relay tickets for the World Championships.

Meanwhile, the mixed 4x100m team also secured qualification for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship after finishing among the top six in the final, which Jamaica won in a world record time of 39.62s.

Goals from Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan secured the title with three games remaining, as Inter opened an unassailable 12-point gap over Napoli and stretched their lead to 15 points ahead of AC Milan.

Inter broke the deadlock late in the first half when Thuram fired a powerful right-footed strike past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

The second goal came in the 80th minute, with Lautaro Martinez setting up substitute Mkhitaryan for a composed finish.

At full time, the pitch was adorned with blue and gold celebrations as head coach Cristian Chivu lifted his first major trophy in management. Before the match, he had expressed Inter’s determination to secure the Scudetto as early as possible.

The triumph marks Inter’s 21st Serie A title and represents a strong comeback after last season’s disappointment, where they missed out on the league by a single point and suffered a heavy 5–0 defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Chivu, who took over unexpectedly last summer following Simone Inzaghi’s move to Saudi Arabia, has reshaped the team with a consistent approach, guiding them to 26 wins in 35 league matches. Inter have also been in strong scoring form, netting 19 goals in their last six games.

The champions now have the opportunity to complete a domestic double if they defeat Lazio in the Coppa Italia final scheduled for May 13 at the Stadio Olimpico.