Niger state Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Thursday urged youths in the state to shun protests and embrace dialogue in fight against the economic challenges in the country.
He addressed a town hall meeting at the Justice Legbo Kutigi conference center in Minna, the state capital. The meeting was attended by stakeholders, including traditional leaders and government officials.
The Governor’s remarks came amid plans for a nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship, scheduled to begin at the end of the month.
Governor Bago expressed his confidence in the peaceful and law-abiding nature of the state’s youths, stating that they would not participate in the protest.
He emphasized the importance of dialogue in solving problems, saying: “Dialogue is the best way towards solving problems. We as youths of Niger state have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquility. If we start demonstration, it cannot solve the problem and the demonstrations will continue but dialogue and understanding is the only answer and so to youths who are agitating for this protest, let us end these agitation, let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.”
The Governor’s stance was supported by the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the council of traditional rulers of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, who urged the people, especially the youths, to distance themselves from the proposed protest. The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, also echoed this sentiment, promising that the state would organize alternative programs for youths while others protested in other states.
Governor Bago acknowledged the economic hardship faced by the country, assuring that the state government was taking steps to alleviate the effects on its citizens. To this end, he announced plans to release 50,000 metric tonnes of grains from the state’s reserves, to be sold at 50% of the current price. This move, he said, would slash food prices by 90% by the end of the year.
The Governor also expressed support for the full autonomy granted to local governments across the country, encouraging them to brace up for the challenges ahead, particularly in paying workers’ salaries promptly.
Overall, the meeting emphasized the importance of dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and government support in addressing economic hardship and promoting development in Niger state.
