Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Monday, July 29, 2024, revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Mandate Secretariat for Youth Affairs in the FCT.
The FCT Minister disclosed this during an interactive engagement with residents of the Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the FCT, in furtherance of the peace-building process across the FCT, in light of the planned nationwide protests.
Addressing the residents during the town hall engagement, which was also attended by the Area Council Chairmen and Heads of the various security agencies in the FCT, the FCT Minister, recalled that he had earlier promised to present the request for the establishment of a Mandate Secretariat for the Youths in the FCT, adding that the President has approved as requested.
“On Saturday, I told the people of AMAC, when they requested the establishment of the Youth Secretariat; I said take it for granted; I know that when I meet Mr. President, he will approve.
“Yesterday, while in Kwali, I repeated what I said. I want to bring you good news. I saw the President last night and the President has approved the establishment of a Mandate Secretariat on Youth”, the Minister said.
Reacting to the resolve of the FCT Youths to not participate in the planned nationwide protests, the Minister commended them for their show of maturity and support for the government and assured them of the continued provision of basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the people.
He said the ongoing construction of rural roads in the satellite towns of the FCT would be completed and commissioned by December this year to improve the lives of the people in the rural areas.
According to the Director of Press (Office of The Minister), Anthony Ogunleye, in a statement, the Minister equally assured that the perceived issues of injustice and marginalization of the indigenous people as highlighted in the course of the engagement would be addressed to give the people a sense of belonging in the FCT and commended them for coming out to express their grievances in a civilized way.
The Minister further stated that the government of President Tinubu was committed to solving the economic problems in the country and called for patience and understanding of the FCT people.
Barr. Wike while also noting that the FCT has a generation of residents who were born and schooled in the FCT and know no other place that they call home than the FCT, equally called for peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians in the nation’s capital.
Earlier in his address, the Immediate past representative of the FCT in the Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Ezekiel Dalhatu who spoke on behalf of the Youth Stakeholders Forum and the coalition of all the youth groups across the FCT, said the youths have opted out of the planned nationwide protests to dialogue with the government.
He said the Youths of the FCT have chosen to show that they are different in their approaches and reasoning, added, “We are organized people, we are civilized, we understand that this government is not more than one year in office. So, we have no reason to be on the streets and be shouting”.
“We prefer to sit with you to express our grievances in a more civilized manner and that is why we are here”.
Hon. Ezekiel thanked the FCT Minister for his decision to interact with the people at the grassroots level of the FCT and for his promise to also appoint a Mandate Secretary for youth affairs to ensure the inclusion of youths in decision-making processes in the FCT.
Also speaking during the Town Meeting, the Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya, in a similar vein, reiterated the resolve of the Youths to embrace dialogue against protests and expressed the support of the people for the FCT Minister.
Barrister Wike was also presented with a life-size portrait of himself by the youths and other stakeholders in attendance.
It may be recalled that the FCT Minister, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, also held an interactive town hall meeting with residents of the Abuja South Constituency of the FCT, comprising the people of Kwali, Abaji, and Gwagwalada Area Councils, during which they unanimously committed to the peace-building process and opted out of the planned nationwide protests.
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