By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday, said it has concluded an arrangement to transform the abandoned recreational garden at the Life Camp Roundabout into a modern leisure and sporting facility, as part of the FCT Administration’s broader drive to expand recreational infrastructure for Abuja residents.

Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, revealed this while inspecting the Life Camp Garden in Abuja.

Wike recalled that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had motivated the administration to invest more in green and recreational spaces in Abuja.

He described the condition of the Life Camp recreation park as unfortunate, lamenting that successive administrations had neglected a facility with enormous potential.

“It is unfortunate that governments have come and gone without thinking about this place. I must commend the First Lady for reminding us of the need to preserve areas where people can leave their homes and communities to relax,” he said.

According to him, the administration intends to restore the park with modern facilities that will cater for the recreational and sporting needs of residents.

“What we intend to do here is to bring it back and provide modern facilities so that people living within this area can come here for their daily sporting activities, recreation, relaxation, take photographs and enjoy themselves, just as it is done in advanced countries,” he said.

Wike disclosed that he had directed the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) to immediately begin the process of redesigning the facility, stressing that the project would receive emergency attention.

“I have directed the relevant officials of the FCDA to move very quickly and present us with what is most befitting for a city like Abuja. We are going to treat this as an emergency. It cannot go through the normal bureaucratic process because our people deserve better,” he said.

The minister also revealed plans to introduce an annual New Year fireworks display at the Abuja City Gate beginning this year, describing it as part of efforts to align Abuja with global capital cities.

“Just like it is done all over the world, where cities usher in the New Year with fireworks, that is what we intend to do this year at the City Gate. By the grace of God, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, we will, for the first time in this country, celebrate the New Year in that manner,” he said.

Expressing satisfaction with the natural landscape of the Life Camp site, Wike said the administration would engage reputable firms and compare multiple proposals before awarding the contract to ensure the best outcome.

“Look at the topography; see what we have been missing. Citizens want a good life, and they are not asking for too much. The administration of President Bola Tinubu is determined to restore hope to our people. We will invite the best companies and also obtain alternative designs so we can compare and choose the very best. We want something that meets global standards, and we want it delivered as quickly as possible,” the minister said.

The planned redevelopment forms part of the FCT Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in Abuja by expanding access to green spaces, leisure parks and recreational facilities for residents.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has held talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and other foreign ministers as Cairo intensifies efforts to prevent further regional escalation, violence and conflict.

According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the discussions took place via separate phone calls on Sunday.

During the call with Witkoff, Abdelatty stressed that political and diplomatic solutions remained the only viable path to restoring regional security and stability.

He called for intensified international and regional efforts to create conditions for renewed dialogue and address the root causes of conflicts.

In separate talks with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the two officials reviewed diplomatic contacts supporting de-escalation.

They also discussed the regional impact of renewed military operations and stressed the need to return to negotiations.

Abdelatty and Al Thani called for the resolution of regional crises through political and diplomatic means while respecting international law.

During his call with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Sabah, Abdelatty called for stronger efforts to prevent the conflict from widening.

The two ministers agreed to maintain close coordination in support of de-escalation efforts, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Abdelatty also discussed regional developments with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during a separate telephone conversation.

The two officials agreed on the need to prioritise dialogue and political solutions to prevent further escalation.

These calls are part of a diplomatic push from Egypt’s border to contain escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, including military strikes and retaliatory attacks.

The U.S. military launched multiple waves of strikes on Iran in July, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and aimed at “degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.”

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Also on Sunday, Abdelatty discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and efforts to advance the implementation of the U.S.-proposed peace plan for the enclave during a phone call with Nickolay Mladenov, “high representative for Gaza” of the U.S.-led “Board of Peace.”

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the “Board of Peace” had reached an agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim said Friday that Hamas agreed to the “latest version of the roadmap” for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement after “fierce” negotiations, but conditioned weaponry arrangements on Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and progress on reconstruction.

A letter from Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has confirmed that the country has named a major highway after US President Donald Trump.

Last week, in a social media post, Trump thanked the king for the honour, but there was not a parallel announcement from the Moroccan authorities.

But Morocco’s state press agency has published a letter the king wrote to the president telling him that the name-change was taking place as “a personal expression of my high regard”.

Formerly the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, the road enters Western Sahara, most of which Morocco occupies and claims sovereignty over.

In 2020, during the first Trump administration, the US recognised Morocco’s claim over the disputed region as part of a deal whereby Morocco agreed to normalise relations with Israel.

In his letter, dated 2 July but published over the weekend, King Mohammed highlighted what he called the US president’s “historic recognition… of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara” saying that it would “forever be etched in the memory of Moroccans, from generation to generation”.

“Although our relations have always been rooted in close friendship and constant loyalty, they have never been as vigorous and fruitful as during your two presidential terms,” the king added.

The monarch called the 1,055km (655 mile) highway a “strategic axis” linking “north and south of Morocco”. Morocco calls Western Sahara its “southern provinces”.

A former Spanish colony, Western Sahara – which is considered a “non-self-governing territory” by the UN – has been fought over for five decades in one of Africa’s longest conflicts.

The UN has consistently pushed for a solution to the dispute, including a referendum, but the indigenous people of the area have never been able to vote for their own future.

The African Union recognises Western Sahara’s independence.

European governments have until recently avoided taking sides. But some, including the UK and Spain have backed Morocco’s plan to grant Western Sahara autonomy but deny it independence.

Trump’s Truth Social post on the renaming last week also included a video about the road saying that it cost nearly $1bn (£740m) to build.

“I look forward to traveling the entire length of this great highway someday, hopefully soon!” the president wrote.