ASHENEWS reports that the Niger State governor, Mohammed Bago says that youth in the state will not participate in the proposed August 1-10 nationwide protest against economic hardship.
The governor stated this during a Town Hall Meeting on the State of State Affairs, held in Minna, on Thursday.
The governor who enjoined Nigerian youth to embrace dialogue said that Niger State youths are peaceful and will not be part of any protest.
“We have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquillity. You can start demonstration, but you cannot end demonstration.
“To youths who are agitating for this protest, end the agitation, let us dialogue on the best way forward,” Bago said.
The governor who acknowledged the current hardship in the country noted that the state government, in its effort to cushion the situation announced the release of 50,000 metric tons of assorted grains such as Rice, Maize, Guinea Corn, Millet and Beans to be sold at 50 per cent less than the current market price.
He said that civil servants would be allowed to buy and pay for the grains in four instalments.
To ensure transparency, the governor said that committees would be set up to facilitate comprehensive sales of the food items, at the soon-to-be-announced designated areas across all 25 local government areas.
He added that the Niger state government was poised to slash food prices by 90 per cent in the next few months.
Furthermore, the Niger state governor announced an N20,000 wage award to State and Local government civil servants.
