Agency Report
In a special Public Lecture and Jummu’a Prayer event held in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day, Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue as a means of addressing the country’s multifaceted challenges.
Represented by Mr. Danlami Ihayyo, the Mandate Secretary of the Education Secretariat in the FCT, Wike acknowledged the numerous challenges that Nigeria has faced since gaining independence but expressed optimism in President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as a harbinger of a new beginning for the nation.
Wike, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed the importance of aligning with Tinubu’s agenda to tackle the socio-economic issues confronting the nation.
He characterized the chosen topic as highly relevant, emphasizing its potential to provide a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of hope for Nigeria.
“The 63rd anniversary marks a new dawn in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda,” Wike stated.
He acknowledged that Nigeria continues to make progress across various sectors of the economy despite enduring challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and insecurity.
The Minister called upon Nigerians to recognize these challenges as opportunities to revitalize the country and positively impact its citizens.
He pledged to collaborate with other stakeholders to foster harmony among citizens and work towards realizing the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
“In the FCT, we are committed to promoting national unity, cohesion, and tolerance in alignment with the ideals of our nation’s founding fathers,” Wike affirmed.
He also expressed gratitude to the National Council of Islamic Affairs for choosing the theme of the discussion, highlighting the significant role played by the council and Islam in fostering unity in Nigeria.
Wike lauded Islamic principles for their emphasis on righteousness, compassion, justice, social justice, and charity, emphasizing their relevance in addressing the nation’s current socio-economic challenges.
“These values serve as models for addressing our present socio-economic challenges and remind us of the importance of caring for the less fortunate while striving to create a more prosperous society,” concluded Minister Wike.