The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising women and youth in the government’s initiatives.
During the launch of the Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister praised Tinubu’s focus on including women and youth in governance, saying this is the first time a Nigerian president has taken such steps.
According to him, Tinubu created the Women’s Secretariat and the Youth Secretariat to ensure these groups are involved in decision-making and can address their own issues.
“You may ask the youth today, they know the importance of it. You may ask the women today, they know the importance of it,” he said, adding that their inclusion has given them a voice in the FCT administration.
Addressing the stigma around certain types of work in Nigeria, Wike explained that while many Nigerians are proud of relatives working in roles abroad, such as driving taxis in cities like London or Houston, similar jobs in Nigeria are often undervalued.
He advised that Nigerians should recognise the dignity of all work and support efforts to provide job opportunities locally.
Wike also expressed concern about social media criticism towards the government’s empowerment efforts, urging Nigerians to embrace these initiatives rather than look down on certain jobs.
“We can’t be taxi drivers here, but we promote taxi drivers in London. That is the country I am,” he said, encouraging the public to value local jobs just as they value similar roles abroad.
As the FCT nears its 50th anniversary in 2026, Wike emphasised the importance of this milestone and noted he has the chance to be the “jubilee minister” for the FCT, just as he was a “jubilee governor” in his home state.