Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue as a means of resolving the country’s numerous challenges. He made this statement at a Public Lecture/Special Jummu’a Prayer held in Abuja, as part of the commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence.
Represented by Danlami Ihayyo, the Mandate Secretary of the Education Secretariat in the FCT, Wike acknowledged the multitude of challenges Nigeria has faced since gaining independence. However, he expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda would mark a new beginning for the country.
Wike, who served as the guest speaker, emphasized the necessity of aligning with Tinubu’s agenda to address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. He described the chosen topic as fitting, stating, “It underscores the importance of addressing the socio-economic challenges our nation faces. And, hopefully, it would present a new perspective and a renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”
The minister acknowledged Nigeria’s resilience in the face of various hardships, pointing out the persistent challenges of poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and insecurity. He urged Nigerians to view these challenges as opportunities to revitalize the country and bring positive impacts to its citizens.
Wike vowed to collaborate with other stakeholders to promote harmony among citizens and work towards realizing the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers. He expressed gratitude to the National Council of Islamic Affairs for selecting the theme of the event, highlighting the indispensable role that both the council and Islam play in ensuring the unity of Nigeria.
“Islamic principles have always played a significant role in our society, not only through righteousness but also in terms of compassion, justice, social justice, and charity. These principles provide models for addressing our current socio-economic challenges. They remind us of the importance of caring for the less fortunate and striving for a more honorable society,” said Wike.
NAN
