The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is currently mobilizing young people in Abuja and other stakeholders to refrain from participating in the planned nationwide protests scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, in protest of the prevailing hunger and hardship being experienced in the country.
Speaking at a ministerial engagement with FCT youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency in Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Sunday, Wike stated that similar engagements will also be conducted with youths and stakeholders in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils in the coming days.
During a similar interaction held with stakeholders in Abuja Municipal Area Council on Saturday, the minister clarified that the purpose of the engagement was to educate participants on the negative consequences of participating in protests and encouraged them to refrain from engaging in such activities.
He expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers and area council chairmen for facilitating the mobilization of FCT youths for this engagement, aimed at educating them on why they should abstain from involvement in protests that do not directly concern them.
Wike emphasized that there is no justification for the planned protest, highlighting that the current administration has only been in power for a short period and it would be premature to evaluate its performance within such a brief timeframe. He urged the participants to exercise patience and refrain from joining the protest, as it is not an accurate means of assessing the government’s effectiveness.
The minister emphasized the importance of recognizing the efforts being made in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stating that significant progress has been achieved in various sectors such as education, health, and notably, security. He called on residents to acknowledge and support the security agencies in their endeavors, noting that it would be unjust to overlook their contributions.
The minister pointed out that improvements in security within the FCT should not be dismissed, and that it is essential to prioritize peace over protests in the region. Regarding the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory University of Science and Technology in Abaji, he assured that measures are being taken to ensure that the institution becomes a leading educational institution in the country.
The minister emphasized that his goal is to establish a university of excellence, rather than a mere institution, which both the community and the nation can take pride in.
The Minister stated that the current focus is on procurement for the construction of classrooms, lecture theatres, and laboratories at the university.
Regarding land issues, he highlighted the common problem in Abuja where newly appointed ministers are often inundated with requests for land allocation. He expressed disappointment that the emphasis is predominantly on land acquisition rather than developmental activities such as infrastructure, hospitals, and schools.
The Minister emphasized the need for a balanced approach to land allocation to ensure the well-being of Indigenous communities. Furthermore, the Minister encouraged youths to collaborate with the government and advised them to steer clear of planned protests organized by individuals with unclear motives.
