Former All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, an indigene of Abuja, as minister.
In a statement from his media office in Abuja on Saturday, he said the nomination shows Tinubu is committed to national integration.
“I was an active player in the transition from military rule to democracy and served as secretary to one sub-committee of the Policy Advisory Committee. I know Abuja people have always wanted this, now it has happened. It has taken almost a quarter of a century to come.
“Those who are not from Abuja or the North Central Zone will not understand how significant this is. That is why many people have been trooping from the grassroots to congratulate the honourable gentleman,” Olawepo-Hashim said while paying Jisalo a visit at his Abuja home.
Jisalo, representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Constituency in the House of Representatives, is the first Federal Capital Territory (FCT) native to be appointed minister since 1999.
He had his tertiary education at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and also obtained an Advanced Diploma in Applied Psychology and Diploma in Criminal Justice and Administration at the same institution.
He further attended the Institute of Mass Communication and Technology where he earned a Diploma in Public Relations before studying Government Policies, Planning and Implementation at the Thames Valley University, London.
