Minister Approves Establishment of Youth Mandate Secretariat in FCT
Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the establishment of a Mandate Secretariat for Youth Affairs in the FCT. The decision comes amidst plans for a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10.
The approval follows a series of interactive engagements held with residents of Bwari, Abuja, and other areas, aiming to sensitize people and particularly youths against participating in the proposed strike. The youths, previously seeking the creation of a youth secretariat during an interactive session with the minister, would now have a dedicated platform.
Reacting to the request, the Wike promised to seek President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval. He made the revelation Monday while interacting with residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Monday.
The minister lauded the youths for opting out of planned protests, describing their decision as evidence of maturity and support for the government.
“FCT has a generation of residents born and schooled here who know no other place they can call their own. Therefore, there must be peace of coexistence among all Nigerians here,” Wike stated during the event.
The youth delegation, led by Ezekiel Dalhatu, the immediate past FCT representative in the Public Complaints Commission, expressed gratitude for the governor’s interaction with the people at the grassroots and highlighted the importance of the creation of the youth secretariat.
The group reassured the government of their readiness for peace and their decision to dialogue, not protest. “We know that this government is only a year-old. So, we have no reason to cry foul or protest in public. We prefer to sit and settle our differences in a civilised way,” Dalhatu emphasized during the event.
The presentation of a life-size portrait of Wike by youth representatives and stakeholders was one of the major highlights of the event.
To the assurance of continued commitment to providing essential infrastructural services, Wike restated the government’s dedication to the solution of the country’s economic problems.
“In due course, we will complete and launch the construction of rural roads in our satellite communities by December 2024. Let the people of the rural regions rejoice,” he urged attendees.
The FCT under the leadership of Wike and their team has been keen in meeting with residents and stakeholders across diverse sections of the community.
JaizBank
