Meet Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, the first FCT indigene to be nominated as minister in 24 years

Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, born on April 3, 1970, is the first Federal Capital Territory (FCT) native to be appointed Minister since 1999.

He is a politician, PR expert, administrator and currently represents Abuja Municipal/Bwari Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja.

Jisalo began his education at Garki Primary School, Abuja and graduated with a First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). He proceeded to the Government Secondary School, Karu, Abuja where he obtained a General Certificate of Examination (GCE) and West African Senior Certificate (WASC). He had his tertiary education at the University of Jos, Plateau State and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.

Jisalo also obtained an Advanced Diploma in Applied Psychology and Diploma in Criminal Justice and Administration at the University of Jos. He further attended the Institute of Mass Communication and Technology where he earned a Diploma in Public Relations. At the Thames Valley University in London, UK, he studied Government Policies, Planning and Implementation.

Jisalo worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 1990 to 2002. He was elected Chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in 2004 and was re-elected in 2007.

In 2011, Hon Jisalo was elected into the Federal House of Representatives to represent Abuja Municipal/Bwari Constituency. During this period he served in the following House Committees; Sports, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Defense, Customs & Excise, Appropriations, and National Security & Security. He currently serves at the FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters Committee. His legislative interest is law-making.

Persecondnews reports that since the advent of democratic dispensation in May 1999, no nomination for a ministerial appointment had been made from FCT.