Natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to one of them and Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo, to intervene in the interest of the natives of the Territory by ensuring that their major communities are integrated into the Abuja Master Plan.
The secretary of Kpaduma 1 community, Hon. Joseph Madaki Shekwolo, who made this known at a press briefing on Wednesday, on behalf of the FCT natives, said that their aim can be achieved since they now have a representative in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), who is abreast with the challenges of Abuja natives.
Shekwolo, who applauded President Bola Tinubu for finding one of the FCT indigenes, Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo, worthy of being appointed as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, said the appointment has renewed the hope of indigenous people and residents of the Territory.
The natives said with the appointment, they could boast of having a representative in the federal government who would ensure that their rights and dignity are protected and not abused because of the previous marginalisation from past governments.
According to Shekwolo, appointing Hon. Jisalo as a minister was the right thing President Tinubu did for the natives because he is a leader who has the quality to make FCT natives and residents proud and ensure that their rights are protected.
Shekwolo said that the action of President Tinubu has proven that he is a leader who has the best interest of all Nigerians, urging Nigerians to always pray and support the present administration to succeed in all areas of endeavour.
“So, we want to congratulate our father and a son of the soil of Gbagyi extraction, Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, on his deserving appointment as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
“As Gbagyi, we are excited that Jisalo broke the jinx of an FCT indigene not being nominated or appointed Minister since the return of democracy in 1999, which shows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the interest of the people of the FCT at heart.
“We are appealing to him to perform as Minister more than he did when he sat on the seat as Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) where he excelled beyond expectations in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the good people of AMAC, before going to represent AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives for eight remarkable years,” he stated.
He said that all natives of Abuja knew that Jisalo was capable of tackling challenging tasks and driving positive changes for the good people of Gbagyi, AMAC, and FCT and that they were delighted and confident that he will excel in his new role as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
