Kehinde Olaosebikan, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Federal Government to recognize and immortalize the professionals who played crucial roles in the development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, Olaosebikan emphasized that such recognition would inspire future professionals to be more patriotic and dedicated to national development.
He proposed that the National Press Centre at the Abuja Radio House be named after Lisa Olu Akerele, the first FCT newspaper Bureau Chief, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Olaosebikan described Akerele as an accomplished journalist and an uncommon patriot, noting that his reports and social activities were instrumental in attracting investments to Abuja during its construction.
Olaosebikan stressed the importance of honoring professionals like Akerele, whose significant contributions helped shape the FCT. While acknowledging the founders and administrators of the territory, he emphasized that the engineers, architects, journalists, and other professionals who played active roles in the city’s development should not be overlooked.
He also praised the current administration for its efforts in making Abuja one of Africa’s most functional and beautiful capital cities. Olaosebikan attributed much of the city’s success to visionary leaders such as Justice Akinola Aguda, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
In his appeal to the Tinubu-led administration, Olaosebikan urged that Akerele be honored as one of the early contributors to the FCT’s development as he marks his 70th year.
