The federal 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 the government in the FCT.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim stated this when the leadership of the association paid her a courtesy visit in her Abuja in Abuja.
Dr. Bio-Ibrahim disclosed that the FCT indigenes, especially the youth, will be included in the Ministry’s programmes. “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 said.
She craved their understanding as the resources of the Ministry is limited, “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” She added.
Speaking on the readiness of her 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. Dr. Bio-Ibrahim gave the assurance that the ministry will help her to find partners who will be 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,” she stated.
On the while issue of drug abuse amongst youth in the FCT, she gave the hint that the Ministry would partner with NDLEA to tackle drug abuse among the youth.
She further mentioned that there is a team on mental health, working on holding its summit within the year.
“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” she emphasised.
Earlier, 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. “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, Hajiya Farida Odangi 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.
Maryam Umar Yusuf
Head, Press & PRU
