By Lanre Oloyede
The Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, has charged members of youth support groups and political mobilisation structures to take the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond major cities and into wards, communities and grassroots settlements across the country.
Olawande gave the charge at the special inauguration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Seyi Tinubu Youth Mandate Movement and an empowerment programme for widows and vulnerable groups.
The Minister was represented at the event by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, who delivered the Minister’s message to participants.
Speaking on the theme, “Taking the Message to the Grassroots,” Abba Isa said effective grassroots engagement required reaching citizens in communities, listening to their concerns and ensuring that government policies and opportunities were communicated in simple and accessible language.
He said the majority of Nigerians live outside major urban centres and therefore needed to be adequately informed about government interventions, social programmes and available opportunities.
According to him, grassroots mobilisation should not be a one-way communication process, but must also provide a channel through which citizens can communicate their needs and concerns to government.
“The grassroots must therefore remain central to every effort aimed at strengthening democratic participation and communicating government policies and programmes,” he said.
He urged members of the movement to go beyond city centres and reach communities, wards and settlements, stressing that their responsibility should include listening to the people, identifying genuine needs and ensuring that vulnerable citizens are not left behind.
Abba Isa also commended the organisers for combining the inauguration with an empowerment programme for widows and vulnerable groups, describing it as an indication that political and civic engagement should translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
He called for greater inclusion of women, young people, persons with disabilities, older citizens and other vulnerable groups in programmes designed to improve livelihoods and participation in national development.
“As the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, I urge the FCT Chapter to make inclusion a defining principle of its activities.
“Nothing about us should be done without us.
“Persons with disabilities must be represented and actively involved. Women, young people and vulnerable communities must have a voice. Accessibility must be considered whenever programmes, meetings, campaigns, trainings or empowerment initiatives are organised,” he said.
The presidential aide also acknowledged the role of Barrister Seyi Tinubu in promoting youth engagement and community mobilisation, describing such platforms as important avenues for young Nigerians to participate constructively in national development.
He congratulated the newly inaugurated FCT executive, led by Director-General, Hon. Joseph Ajiboye, and Deputy Director-General, Hon. Saminu Musa Dazara, urging them to see their new responsibilities as a call to service.
“Your inauguration represents not merely the assumption of offices, but a call to service, responsibility and community engagement,” he said.
Abba Isa urged the leadership to build bridges between citizens and government institutions, while ensuring that accurate information about policies, programmes and opportunities reaches communities.
He said the movement should make every ward and community a platform where citizens could access information, opportunities and channels for constructive participation.
The event also featured an empowerment programme for widows and vulnerable members of the society, reinforcing the organisers’ commitment to social inclusion and grassroots support.
Abba Isa expressed optimism that the FCT chapter would use its platform to promote inclusive participation and ensure that vulnerable Nigerians are carried along in the nation’s development process.
He congratulated the newly inaugurated leadership and wished them a successful tenure of service.
