FCT Youth Network Dissolves Advisory Board, Inaugurates New Leadership Council

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Youth Network has dissolved its former Youth Stakeholders Council Advisory Board and inaugurated a new leadership to strengthen coordination, representation and engagement among youth organisations across the Territory.

The decision was taken at the first executive meeting of the newly elected leadership of the FCT Youth Network, held at the office of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) in Abuja.

The network appointed Comrade Abubakar Sadiq as Acting Chairman of the FCT Youth Stakeholders Council, while Comrade Yahuza Abubakar was appointed Secretary.

The new council is expected to serve as an advisory and coordinating body for youth organisations and associations across the FCT, including those operating within the 17 chiefdoms, 858 indigenous communities and residents’ associations.

According to the network, the council would help address the communication gap between youth groups, community leaders, elders and other stakeholders, while promoting stronger relationships and greater youth participation in policy formulation and governance.

The advisory body is also expected to work closely with indigenous youth organisations, community leaders and residents’ associations to promote unity, collaboration and inclusive dialogue on issues affecting young people in the Territory.

Speaking after the meeting, the Executive Director of AOIYEO, Commandant Isaac David, said the reconstitution was aimed at creating a more effective, transparent and representative platform for FCT youths.

David said the new advisory body would comprise persons between the ages of 40 and 50 who would serve as a bridge between the younger generation and elders in the Territory.

“This decision is to bring together youths from age 40 to 50 years to serve as an advisory body to the FCT Youth Network and other indigenous youth organisations to bridge the gap between the youths and elders of the FCT.

“These people will serve as a board of trustees of the FCT Youth Network, to harmonise all the indigenous youth groups and the residents, assist them in policy-making and, where there are grievances, unite them.

“They are to checkmate the activities of the Youth Network and other groups in the FCT. Other directors across the six area councils would be announced soon,” he said.

Also speaking, the FCT Youth leader, Destiny Yamawo, said the decision to dissolve the former board and inaugurate a new one was taken in the interest of unity and effective service to young people across the Territory.

Yamawo said the network was committed to building stronger relationships among youth groups and ensuring that young people were adequately represented in decision-making processes.

“This is about unity and service. We are committed to building bridges, not barriers, and ensuring that the voices of FCT youths are heard and represented at every level of decision-making,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the new leadership to youth empowerment, peacebuilding and sustainable development across the six area councils of the FCT.