Favour Ishember, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has called on youths in the territory to assess political leaders based on concrete achievements and policies rather than social media narratives and empty promises.
Wike made the call while addressing FCT youths in Abuja, where he appreciated their support and solidarity for President Bola Tinubu, assuring them that the administration remained committed to meeting their expectations and addressing their challenges.
The minister said, “Let me also thank you for your speeches, your recommendations and your solidarity to Mr President. Let me say clearly that we do not take your support for granted. By the special grace of God, we will do our best to ensure that the yearnings and needs of the youths are met.”
Wike explained that his support for President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was based on a careful reflection on history and the need to address the long-standing exclusion of youths and women from governance in the FCT.
He urged the youths to look beyond political claims and examine what previous administrations did to improve their welfare before the emergence of the current government.
The FCT minister said, “We are not just telling you to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this reason or that reason. The question is, why should you not support those who have shown practical commitment towards solving your problems?”
Wike warned youths against being influenced by misinformation and unrealistic promises spread through online platforms, stressing that development should be measured by visible actions.
He said, “This is not social media. This is not where you tell lies. This is not where you become a content developer. Be practical, be practical.”
The minister recalled his university days, saying students were sometimes carried away by lecturers who presented theories and arguments that encouraged protests without a proper understanding of real-life challenges.
Wike referred to the period of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) protests, noting that many young people reacted based on the information and emotions available to them at the time.
He explained that experiences after graduation often reveal the difference between classroom theories and the realities of governance and society.
The minister asked youths to reflect on the history of the FCT, which was created in 1976, and consider the level of attention given to young people and women over the decades.
Wike questioned whether past administrations established dedicated structures that would allow youths and women in the territory to actively participate in governance.
He specifically mentioned the era of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who served between 1999 and 2007, asking whether youth and women secretariats were created during that period.
The minister said the absence of such institutions showed that previous governments failed to provide adequate platforms for youths and women to contribute meaningfully to administration in the FCT.
Wike said, “Let us go back to history. Today, we are sitting as if FCT was created today. FCT was established in 1976. What was the position of the youths then? What was the position of women then?”
He noted that from 1976 to 2023, successive administrations did not establish dedicated secretariats focused on youth and women development in the territory.
According to Wike, President Tinubu changed the situation shortly after assuming office by introducing measures aimed at promoting inclusiveness and representation.
He said President Tinubu directed the creation of youth and women secretariats to specifically address the concerns and needs of both groups.
Wike stated that the initiative represented a foundation for correcting decades of neglect and ensuring that young people and women have a stronger role in governance.
The minister said, “Somebody has come to lay a foundation to take care of those things that were not taken care of.”
He added that if such structures had been created earlier, many of the challenges currently facing youths and women would have been addressed before now.
Wike said President Tinubu had questioned why previous leaders failed to use available opportunities to improve the lives of youths and women.
The minister urged FCT youths to recognise efforts aimed at closing historical gaps and support programmes designed to promote inclusion and participation.
He concluded that the current administration was building a system that would give youths and women greater visibility, representation and influence in governance.
For a better society
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