CYMS honours Abaji Chairman for grassroots development, seeks full LG autonomy by Angela Atabo
By Angela Atabo
The Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) has honoured the Chairman, Abaji Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abubakar Abdullahi, with an Award of Excellent Performance.
The Director-General of CYMS, Chief Obinna Nwaka, while presenting the award during a mentorship and stakeholder engagement session with the Abaji chairman on Wednesday in Abuja praised his grassroots development strides.
Nwaka also described the honour as recognition of Abdullahi’s reported performance, youthful representation and leadership at the grassroots.
He said the recognition followed what the organisation described as Abdullahi’s interventions in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, community welfare and youth development.
“The chairman’s leadership represents the importance of bringing government closer to residents at the grassroots, particularly young people and communities that depend heavily on local institutions for basic services,” he said.
Nwaka also used the occasion to renew the organisation’s advocacy for full local government autonomy, describing stronger local councils as important to effective grassroots development, youth participation and improved service delivery.
He said CYMS would continue to engage policymakers and other stakeholders on strengthening local government institutions and creating greater opportunities for young Nigerians to participate meaningfully in governance.
He congratulated the chairman and expressed the hope that the recognition would encourage him to sustain his focus on community development, youth inclusion and responsive governance.
Responding, Abdullahi reflected on his political journey, including legal battles that followed the local government election, saying determination, personal commitment and faith helped him navigate the challenges.
He disclosed that he personally monitored various stages of his legal proceedings rather than leaving the matter entirely to his lawyers, saying the experience taught him the value of commitment, diligence and attention to detail.
The chairman also renewed his call for greater local government autonomy, arguing that stronger control at the council level would improve development and service delivery in rural communities.
He said local government chairmen were closer to the people and therefore better positioned to identify and respond to challenges involving roads, primary healthcare, education and other essential services.
Abdullahi further urged young Nigerians aspiring to leadership to prepare themselves for responsibility by developing competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
On youth participation in governance, he said, his administration had continued to create opportunities for young people through appointments, empowerment programmes and support for youth-oriented initiatives.
He advised young people seeking leadership positions to prepare themselves for responsibility instead of waiting for opportunities to come to them.
Earlier, the Director of Contacts and Mobilisation of CYMS, Kelechi Ugwumba, commended the chairman for his reported willingness to engage young people and support initiatives aimed at strengthening grassroots development.
Ugwumba called for deeper collaboration between CYMS and Abaji Area Council through mentorship, sensitisation and stakeholder engagement programmes.
