Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, stated that the FCT Administration is devoted to youth development to achieve long-term growth.
Mahmoud announced this in an address to young people in Abuja on Monday in honour of the 2024 International Youth Day.
She explained that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had obtained President Bola Tinubu’s assent to establish the Youth Development Secretariat, with a young person serving as its Mandate Secretary.
According to her, this demonstrates the Wike-led FCT Administration’s dedication to youth empowerment and development, which is consistent with Tinubu’s renewed hope program.
Identifying the youth as a catalyst for sustainable development, the minister urged on stakeholders to collaborate with the FCT Administration to develop the youths’ potential for maximum results.
This, she said, could be done by providing quality education, recreation/sporting facilities, and implementing young empowerment projects.
Mahmoud said:
“Let us all get the youths seriously involved in the task of nation building and socio-economic development, because when you build the youth, you are building the nation.
“The FCT Administration recognises the fatality of paying lip service to matters relating to the advancement and development of the youth.
“The administration will, therefore, continue to rekindle the hope of its youths for a secured future.”
The minister, however, charged the youths to always embrace dialogue instead of confrontation when engaging the government.
According to her, dialogue promotes mutual understanding and serves as an effective tool in crisis management.
She stated that the subject of the 2024 IYD, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” underlined the importance of digital technology in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
“The campaign aims to put a spotlight on digital initiatives and solutions led by youth and those that engage them.
“Through their digital networks they are not just connecting to millions of people but bringing social change and benefiting the disadvantaged in society.”