Tinubu Determined to Ensure LG System Works to Aid Grassroot Development – Minister

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo has said that President Bola Tinubu is determined to ensure that the local government system is working to aid grassroot development in the country.

Recall that after decades of intense clamour for administrative and fiscal autonomy, the Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024 delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial independence of 774 local governments in the country.

The seven-justice panel of the apex court headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, in the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, ruled that the councils are entitled to the freedom to manage their own funds.

However, Speaking at a sporting event organised by the office of the Mandate Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jisalo called on stakeholders to support grassroot sports development in the nation’s capital as a way of discovering young talents in the country.

The minister described the football competition as another way of turning youth away from crime and other social vices.

On his part, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Bitrus Garki said the youth are happy that the president is interested in the development of hitherto forgotten communities.

He pointed out that the people are happy with the policies of the government which are beginning to yield positive results in all the area councils across the FCT.

Garki said the competition was aimed at appreciating the deliberate policies of the present administration which is now integrating the rural people into governance by giving them a voice.

Also, the Special Adviser to the President on Youth and Sports, Anthony Adeyinka, said the event shows support for the present administration by the FCT youths.

He said Tinubu is committed to youth development and empowerment. He reiterated different empowerment programmes for youths that have been put in place to get them engage in different entrepreneurship skills.

The Zakari of Karu Chiefdom, Danfulani Narayi said the traditional institution in FCT is happy with the present administration for its efforts in building strong communities across the FCT.

He said competition like this will also help to unite the youth and create a sense of ownership by the people in the development of their communities.