FCTA PRESS RELEASE
“WE HAVE
LAID A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FCT YOUTHS” – FCT MINISTER
…BERATES PAST LEADERS FOR NEGLECTING THE YOUTHS AND WOMEN SINCE 1976
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has declared that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has laid a solid, historic foundation for the inclusion and development of youths and women in the nation's capital.
Speaking during an interactive engagement with the youths in Abuja, the Minister emphasized that the current administration is committed to practical governance, courageous economic reforms, and fulfilling the genuine yearnings of young Nigerians rather than engaging in empty rhetoric.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister expressed deep appreciation to the youths for their continued support, assuring them that the FCT Administration will remain dedicated to meeting their developmental needs.
"Let me say clearly that we do not take your support for granted, and by the special grace of God, we will put in our best to see that the yearnings and the needs of the youth are met", the Minister stated.
Reflecting on the 50-year history of the Federal Capital Territory since its creation in 1976, the Minister challenged young people to be pragmatic and look closely at governance records rather than falling for social media distractions. He noted that for decades, previous administrations—including those led by prominent figures who served from 1999 to 2007—failed to establish dedicated institutional frameworks for youths and women in the FCT.
"Since 1976 to 2023, nobody cared. There was no establishment of a Youth Secretariat, and there was no establishment of a Women Secretariat to include them in the administration", Wike remarked, adding, "But this is a man elected in 2023 who didn't take one year in office before saying, 'Go and make sure that there is a Youth Secretariat; go and make sure that there is a Women Secretariat”.
The Minister stressed that establishing these secretariats was a deliberate step by President Tinubu to create a lasting structure for growth and inclusion. He urged youths to value strong, focused leadership in their organizations and communities, noting that no meaningful progress is possible without a proper foundation.
"If you don’t lay a foundation, there can be no growth. You must plant something first before you talk about growth to germinate, before you harvest. We are talking about leadership", Wike added.
Drawing
from his extensive career in public service—having served as a two-term Local
Government Chairman starting in 1999, Deputy National President and President
of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), representative of
Africa at the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, and Governor of Rivers
State—the Minister underscored the necessity of firm leadership when working
within the public sector.
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Turning to national economic policies, the Minister applauded President Tinubu for demonstrating the political will to end the decades-long fuel subsidy regime. According to the Minister, while previous leaders acknowledged that the subsidy system was flawed and drained national resources, only President Tinubu possessed the courage to confront the issue directly and redirect funds toward national development.
"Every leader, every administration that came agreed that fuel subsidy was a scam, but none of them had that courage to say no, we won’t continue with it. You may not be right all the time, but what is important is that you must take a decision", the Minister said.
He explained that the removal of the subsidy and the implementation of well-informed economic policies have yielded tangible benefits across the federation. Specifically, Wike pointed to increased financial allocations to states and local governments, the clearance of over 900 billion Naira in unpaid pension arrears, and the restoration of stability in Nigeria's public tertiary institutions.
"Today, for the past three years, has there been any strike in the university? No! Every demand has been met, and money is being made available to sub-nationals—states, local governments, and area councils", Wike stated. "Before, you heard teachers were on strike and pensioners were on the road. Today, there are no more pensioners on the road, and no more years lost to strikes. These are the advantages of removing this fuel subsidy", he stated.
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The Minister urged FCT youths to remain realistic, patient, and supportive as the federal government works to stabilize ongoing economic reforms, reiterating that President Tinubu possesses the vision and capacity required to steer Nigeria toward sustainable prosperity.
"Time has come for us to stop living fake lives and be practical. You have well-informed economic policies that require stabilization, and President Tinubu knows how a country can move forward", the Minister affirmed.
In a welcome address, the Youth leader, Destiny Yamawo thanked the Minister for granting an interactive session and for listening to young people. Emphasising collaboration, he stated that youths seek "a strategic partnership towards building an inclusive, safe, and prosperous FCT", through skill acquisition and job creation. On education, he urged increased FCT scholarship budgets for foreign studies and improved teacher welfare via UBEB to end recurring strikes. Commending ongoing infrastructure projects, he requested that the FCT master plan could consider integrating indigenous communities rather than resettling them, or ensure proper compensation where integration is impossible.
Various
youth group leaders who spoke at the event appreciated the Minister for having
an inclusive policy towards the youths. Moreover, they requested for more
facilities such as sports centres and increased scholarships. The youths also
expressed their willingness to collaborate with the administration to translate
the proposals presented at the meeting into practical programmes that would
improve opportunities and living conditions for young people in the FCT
Present at the well attented meeting were the APC candidates for the FCT National Assembly seats, Senator Philip Aduda, Senate; John Gabaya, Abuja North and Danladi Chiya, Abuja South, all six area council chairmen, the APC and PDP chairmen in the FCT, representatives of the Indigenous Youths of the FCT, FCT Youth Network, FCT Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT Youth Wing of the Muslim Ulama and Muslim Youth Society of Nigeria, Women in business and People Living With Disabilities.
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RABI MUSA
UMAR
DEPUTY
DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF
THE HON. MINISTER)
FCTA/ODP/PR/928
11/11/26
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