Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic difficulties being faced by Nigerians, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has distanced the youths of the state from the exercise.
Recall the mass protest is billed to hold from August 1 to 10 across the country.
The governor spoke at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Minna on Thursday.
He noted that the youths in the state are peaceful and would , therefore, not be participate in any planned protest.
Bago stated, “To youths who are agitating for this protest, let us end these agitation, let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward. Therefore, we, as youths of Niger State, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquility.”
As part of measure to reduce the hardship, he disclosed, “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 per cent of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food price by 90 per cent”.
“The food I am giving out at 50 per cent subsidy was originally meant for export but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites.
“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 per cent of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food price by 90 per cent,” he added.
The governor while also expressing support for the autonomy of local governments, however, urged them to sit up as many of them currently can not pay salaries for a year.
Speaking, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alh. Abubakar Yahaya, noted that the planned protest is not the best option while calling on youths in the state not to be tempted in taking part in the the planned nationwide protest.
Also, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, while appealing to the youths to remain calm, disclose that the state government will organize programmes for them while others are protesting in other states.
Similarly, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Most Rev Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in his address, noted the need for all children attending public schools to be given equal opportunity to learn about their religion, adding, “A child that is well brought up by parents and also through religious education will never be involved in act of violence”.