Gov Bago Moves Against Hunger Protest, Approves N2bn Bursary

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has extracted a commitment from youth organisations and organised labour in Niger State not to participate in the nationwide protest slated for next month.

Consequently, the governor has approved a N2 billion bursary for Niger State students in tertiary institutions.

At an expanded security council meeting yesterday, the governor echoed the position of labour and youth organisations regarding their resolve not to join in the 10-day nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Bago said at the meeting held in Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna, the state capital, that Niger youths are peaceful and will not be drawn into any protest.

The government announced an increase of N2 billion from an initial N500 million to pay the bursary allowance.

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He also disclosed the donation of a bus to the state’s youth council and cars to local government chairmen, the judiciary, security chiefs, and some religious leaders.

Bago said 50,000 metric tonnes of assorted food items would be released from the 100,000 metric tonnes in the state’s reserve for distribution to all local government areas.

He said, “We, as youths of Niger State, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquillity. You can start demonstrations, but you cannot end demonstrations. To youths agitating for this protest, let us end this agitation; let us communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.

“The food I am giving out at 50 percent subsidy was originally meant for export, but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites,” he added.

The Etsu Nupe and chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, advised the youths against the protest, saying that they should be creative and seek prayers to overcome the hardship faced by all.

The state House of Assembly speaker, Hon Abdulmalik Sarikindaji, said the youths will not join the protest because those in the state will be engaging in productive ventures.