59th Anniversary: Bello, Aliyu Call For Commitment In Rebuilding Abuja

Joel Ajayi

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has called for commitment and dedication on the part of residents in rebuilding the capital city as envisaged by the visionary leaders of old.

The Minister who made the call to mark 59th Independence Anniversary at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja, however acknowledged that the development of the FCT in itself has not been without its own challenges, many of which are associated with commitment of residents to the ideals of which the FCT was founded.

Represented at the occasion by FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Minister noted that nearly six decades, Nigeria has risen to becoming one of the most influential countries in the world, acknowledging that like any other country Nigeria has not been without challenges the biggest perhaps being the 1967-1970 civil war which challenged the unity and indivisibility of the country.

“The development of the FCT in itself has not been without its own challenges, many of which are associated with commitment of residents to the ideals of which the FCT is founded.

“It will gladden me as I have no doubt it will gladden the hearts of our founding fathers -because it will be the realization of their dreams- if every resident of the FCT truly regards the territory as home and will treat her as such.

“For far too long, many residents of the FCT, consider her as simply a location where they live out of necessity to make a living while their hearts lie somewhere else. I must say that for the FCT to really make the dreams of her founders become a reality and truly become a home for all Nigerians, we must treat her the way we treat the homes in which we live daily.

“I have often times said that as residents of the FCT we owe ourselves and indeed the entire country to treat it as our one true home. It is a statement of fact that there now exists a generation of Nigerians who know no other home but the FCT. They were born in Abuja, schooled in Abuja, currently employed in Abuja and have started their own families here in Abuja

“The FCT has lived up to the dreams of her founding fathers, as over the years, it has become a melting pot of cultures, traditions and people from virtually every village and hamlet in Nigeria,” he noted.

Bello, therefore, tasked residents of Abuja to insist that the right things are done properly and not hesitate to hold government and even community and traditional heads to account on behalf of the generality of the people in the FCT.

According to him, “We should initiate community actions, galvanize and mobilize the citizenry for it is only through this that we can actualize the true ideals of the FCT as envisaged by our visionary leaders of old.

“Let all of us therefore use the occasion and opportunity of our 59th Independence anniversary to re-dedicate and re-commit ourselves to building the FCT of our dreams”.

He used the occasion to assure residents of the territory that the FCT is safe, noting that no city can be completely crime free, but with the concerted efforts of the security agencies and the FCT Administration, crime rate has been reduced to the lowest levels.

Bello, also assured that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to actualizing the ideals of the founding fathers of the FCT and is determined to take the FCT to the Next Level of national development.

Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, also emphasized on commitment and synergy in building Abuja of our dream.

She noted that over the years, Nigeria has come out of numerous challenges and forged ahead as one united and indivisible nation, just as she called for concerted efforts in making Abuja a model city.

The FCT Minister of State who was represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Christian Ohaa, reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to invest in youth for national growth and development.

The occasion also witnessed goodwill messages from Sen. Philip Aduda, Hon. Micha Jiba and match pass by students of various schools across the  territory.