Inclusiveness: Nigerian Government Moves To Work With FCT Indigenous Youth

The Nigerian government has expressed its willingness to work with the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Indigenous Youth Association for Peace and Justice to ensure that their adequate representation and inclusiveness in governance.

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim stated this when the leadership of the Association paid her a courtesy visit in her Abuja.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim disclosed that the FCT indigenes, especially the youth, would be included in the Ministry’s programmes.

She said; “I am here to work for and with the indigenous people, and I will link them up with the Director of Network and Social Mobilisation to work with her team.”

She craved their understanding as the resources of the Ministry is limited, saying, “We would want to do a lot of things, but we are constrained with limited resources; but we hope the little we do goes a long way.”

On the readiness of the Ministry to support youth entrepreneurs, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim cited an example of a youth entrepreneur, Hasiya, who set up a garment factory in Abaji with 50 sewing machines for training and empowering women and youth in FCT.

She gave the assurance that the Ministry would help her to find partners willing to support her, as the ministry may not be able to finance the project.

“We are here as a catalyst to support and implement programmes to ensure that the youth are empowered financially, physically, and education wise,”Dr. Bio-Ibrahim stated.

On drug abuse amongst youth in the FCT, she said that the Ministry would partner with the NDLEA to tackle drug abuse among the youth.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim further mentioned that there is a team on mental health, working on holding its summit within the year.

She said; “It is a disturbing issue among the youth, and we believe that it is only when people are of sound mind that they can be productive. We don’t want to be judgemental. We understand that times are hard and people are going through a lot. We are here to work with the young people.” 

On behalf of the group, Abdullahi Yahuza Shawai (Madakin Matasa) stated that he believed that through collaboration with the Ministry, a lot could be achieved.

He said; “We can harness the energy, creativity, and potential of our fellow youths in the FCT region, enabling them to become active contributors to the nation’s development.”

Also speaking, the team lead and Chairperson of the Association, Farida Suleiman (Gimbiyan Abaji) called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a genuine presence of the government in FCT by setting up programmes in the interiors of the federal capital territory instead of the cities alone.

She emphasised that the youths in the FCT have all it takes to work, as they are literate enough to handle any assignment and programme.

Mercy Chukwudiebere