Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim , the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, has been conferred with the position of patron for the North Central People’s Forum (NCPF) by the National Executive Committee of the forum, in recognition of her personal integrity and sterling qualities.
The investiture ceremony was performed in her office in Abuja when the leadership of the forum paid her a courtesy visit.
In her acceptance speech, she called on the forum to focus mainly on harnessing the natural resources in the zone to prosper the people of the region instead of solely depending on the government.
“If I were not a minister, I would have still be blaming the government for not bringing development to the North Central Zone, but now that I am on the driver’s seat in this Ministry, I have a different perspective” She added.
The Minister emphasized that because of the strategic location of the zone in the country, it requires more allocation of funds, especially for road construction and rehabilitation, because North Central is the link way to the South and North, hence the roads are more plied.
The Minister expressed her readiness to see that the North Central Development Agenda becomes a reality .
She advised the leaders to make sure that the agenda reflects all the challenges from insecurity, unemployment, poor engagement of young people, and poor infrastructures.
She enjoined the leadership to rise up to its vision and face their challenges head long while assuring them of her sincere and unflinching support in achieving their mandate.
Earlier, Engr. Sani Ndanusa (Marafa Nupe), Chairman of the forum, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of the youth minister, which he described as a round peg in a round hole.
He pledged the forum’s support to the minister to ensure that she delivers on the expectations of the office and the aspirations of Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
Engr. Ndanusa further stated that the forum was established as a voluntary, non-profit, making organisation with the aim to enhancing the sustainable socio- political and economic development of the zone.
Maryam Umar Yusuf
Head, Press & PRU
