Akpabio, Oluremi Tinubu Commission N’Assembly Chapel After 19 Years

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Sunday officially opened the newly completed National Assembly Chapel in Abuja.

The project brings to an end a 19-year wait that began during the Sixth Assembly when Christian legislators first proposed the idea of having a dedicated place of worship within the complex.

The event was confirmed in a statement issued in Abuja by Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom. The chapel was conceived as part of the activities of the Christian Legislators Fellowship, which had operated for years without a permanent worship space.

Over the years, members reportedly held prayers in borrowed rooms and other available spaces within the Assembly.

Akpabio recalled that when he assumed office as Senate President and visited the proposed site, the area had been left unattended for a long time. He said steps were taken under the current leadership of the 10th Assembly to revive and complete the structure.

The Senate President described the project as a fulfillment of a long-standing vision by lawmakers who kept pushing for the chapel despite delays. He said the building represents faith and perseverance on the part of those who supported the idea from its early days.

Akpabio also expressed appreciation to Oluremi Tinubu for her support and presence at the commissioning. He thanked individuals who contributed financially and otherwise to ensure the completion of the chapel.

The First Lady, who previously served as senator representing Lagos Central, joined Akpabio at the ceremony, marking what many described as a milestone for Christian members of the legislature.

Akpabio noted that the dedication of the chapel coincided with a period of fasting observed by Muslim faithful. He called for unity among Nigerians of all religious backgrounds and urged citizens to pray for peace and stability in the country.

The commissioning of the chapel closes a chapter that began nearly two decades ago and establishes a permanent worship centre for Christian lawmakers within the National Assembly complex.