On Thursday, October 31, 2024, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), distributed 80 vehicles to young people in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

During the flag-off event, which concluded the minister’s nine-day series of project launches, Wike emphasized the Federal Government’s dedication to enhancing the lives of FCT youth through the Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Initiative.

He stated that the vehicles: 30 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), 30 seven-seater Suzuki Minibuses, and 20 14-seater Hiace buses—would create job opportunities for young people and help lower transportation costs in the FCT.

The minister further noted that the brand-new vehicles were being supplied by the government at no charge to the beneficiaries from all six area councils of the FCT to provide them with a means of livelihood. He encouraged the recipients to use the vehicles for the intended purpose.

“These are brand new vehicles, and they are not paying a dime. We are not saying pay the government any money. The government is saying this is our own support to make sure you have something to feed, to make sure you can support your family, and also to reduce the cost of transportation in the city.”

In an interview with Kristna Reports, some youth expressed happiness at the scheme while others complained that this is not enough to eradicate hunger and poverty among the youths.

Suleiman, a 26-year-old young man who is currently unemployed thanked te Government for their kind act and assured the government that the youths are grateful and will not misuse the opportunity given to them.

‘Thank you so much to the Government. This will really help us. We will not disappoint them’

Another youth who spoke on the condition of anonymity noted that it is unfair for the government to give out buses and claim to have taken steps to curb hunger and unemployment.

‘We need proper jobs, not cars. You cannot say you want to provide jobs and you are giving people cars to do ‘along.’ It is unfair and I am sure those cars will only be given to people that know people in power and not to commoners like us. The Government should provide jobs, not cars’.