The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud has called on youths in the country to embrace dialogue, peaceful engagement, and constructive participation in the nation’s building.
The minister who spoke as a Special guest at the FCT Gbagyi Youth Association conference in Abuja said that progress is achieved not through division but through collaboration, mutual respect, and shared commitment to development.
The Minister, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Hon. Ango Suleiman Abdullahi noted that the conference was a vital platform for dialogue, reflection, and collective action among the territory’s vibrant youth
According to the Minister, youths remain the heartbeat of every society, with their energy, creativity and determination, which she noted, are essential for building inclusive communities and securing a prosperous future.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Austine Elemue quoted the representative of the Minister as saying that “For the Gbagyi people of the FCT, your role is particularly significant as custodians of culture, values, and ancestral heritage.”
Mahmoud emphasised that the conference offers an opportunity to celebrate Gbagyi identity and unity while addressing critical challenges facing young people, including access to education, skills development, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
She stressed that these issues demand collaboration between government, traditional institutions, community leaders, and the youth themselves.
The FCT Administration, she affirmed, remains committed 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.
Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who was 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 in his remarks, the chairman Board of Trustees Gbagyi Youth Association, Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako stressed that the event was organised to demonstrate that Gbagyi youth are no longer spectators in the affairs of the FCT but critical stakeholders and partners in progress.
He, however, 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.