Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has assured Nigerians that the youth of Niger State will not participate in the planned nationwide strike set for August 1 to 10, 2024.
The scheduled protest is to point out the severe hunger and economic hardship currently afflicting the country, according to the organisers.
During a town hall meeting in Minna on Thursday, Governor Bago stated the peaceful nature of the youth in Niger State and their disinterest in joining the national protest.
He called on the youth to abandon the idea, stating, “We, as youths of Niger State, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquillity.”
Bago urged those planning the protest to seek alternative solutions through dialogue and communication.
“You can start demonstrations but you cannot end demonstrations. To youths who are agitating for this protest, let us end these agitations, let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward,” he advised.
In a bid to alleviate the economic hardship, the governor announced the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains to be sold at 50 percent of their current price.
He also instructed security agencies to ensure the directive was followed precisely.
“We have over 100,000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, out of which we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50 percent of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food prices by 90 percent,” he assured.
The governor reiterated his support for local government autonomy and urged local government chairmen to improve their administration, noting that many have failed to pay salaries for a year.
He also pointed out Niger State’s financial independence from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, saying, “I do not need FAAC in Niger State. The roads I am building and the projects I have undertaken are not being done by FAAC.
“We are producing, and that is the secret behind what we are doing. There are people who have invested in Niger State for the next five years.”
Bago explained that the food being distributed at a 50 percent subsidy was initially intended for export but has been redirected to meet the needs of Nigerlites due to the current hardship.
Supporting the governor’s stance, the Emir of Bida and Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers of Niger State, Abubakar Yahaya, urged the youth not to be tempted to join the nationwide protest, stating that protests are not the solution.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, also encouraged the youth to refrain from participating in the protest and assured them of state-organized programs for youth engagement.