By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called on the youth not to trade dialogue over division, but to embrace dialogue, peaceful engagement, and constructive participation in the nation’s building.
Mahmoud explained that progress is achieved not through division but through collaboration, mutual respect, and shared commitment to development.
The minister, who spoke at the FCT Gbagyi Youth Association conference held in Abuja, described the conference as a vital platform for dialogue, reflection, and collective action among the territory’s vibrant youth
The minister, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Ango Suleiman Abdullahi, expressed delight with the indigenous Gbagyi people, noting that the gathering reflects their strength, resilience, and aspirations.
Mahmoud stated that the youth remain the heartbeat of every society, with their energy, creativity, and determination essential for building inclusive communities and securing a prosperous future.
She said, “For the Gbagyi people of the FCT, your role is particularly significant as custodians of culture, values, and ancestral heritage.”
According to the minister, the conference offers an opportunity to celebrate Gbagyi identity and unity while addressing critical challenges facing the youths, such as access to education, skills development, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion.
She noted that these issues demand collaboration between government, traditional institutions, community leaders, and the youth themselves.
She affirmed FCT Administration’s commitment to policies and programmes promoting youth empowerment, human capital development, and inclusive growth across the six area councils, with a focus on equipping young people with relevant skills to become self-reliant and contribute to their communities.
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Mustapha Bala Danaki, affirmed that any society that invests in its youth is investing in its survival and progress.
According to him, “Sustainable development is not just about infrastructure or wealth; it is about people, their mindset, character, skills, and values.
“It is about youths who are prepared not only to demand change but to become the change. It is about youth who understand that their leadership starts with self-discipline, integrity, and respect for elders and institutions.”
Earlier, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Gbagyi Youth Association, Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako stressed that the event was organized to demonstrate that Gbagyi youth are no longer spectators in the affairs of the FCT but critical stakeholders and partners in progress.
He acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose actions have realigned governance with justice and inclusion.
“Mr. President placed a Gbagyi son at the table where national decisions are shaped. That single act restored confidence, dignity, and hope to our people, particularly to our youth, who now see governance as accessible, not distant,” he stressed.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of the proposed Gbagyi youth housing estate.
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