Hunger Protest: 37 Groups, Stakeholders Meet In Jigawa

Following the agitation and plan for nationwide protest against hardship in Nigeria schedule for August, leaders and critical stakeholders including 37 unions have met in Jigawa State over the protest.

The meeting, called by the Jigawa State government and held at Government House Dutse, discussed how to work together to tackle the economic challenges. The state government also urged the people to be more patient and not to be agents of destruction.

The participants included the executive, legislature, political leaders, heads of security agencies, media, labour, trade unions, civil societies, students union, community organisations, women groups, youth groups, traditional rulers and religious leaders among others.

Speaking at the opening session of the meeting, the Jigawa State governor Malam Umar Namadi acknowledged the hardship in Nigeria but assured Jigawa people that the leaders at all levels are working hard to liberate the country from the economic crunch.

Governor Namadi told the people that the nation has serious challenges that require prayer and collaborative efforts to tackle. He noted that street protests can’t change this; rather, they may end up aggravating the situation and creating a breakdown of law and order, as has happened in some countries.
He appealed to the Jigawa youth to uphold their cultural and moral discipline which taught them the fear of Allah, be trustworthy and refrain from any act that may cause breakdown of peace and stability.

Governor Namadi also called on the participants to thoroughly discuss and advise the government on the right measures to be taken to ensure the maintenance of law and order while at the same time working to address the economic challenges.

In his speech, the chairman of Jigawa State Council of Chiefs and emir of Hadejia, Dr Adamu Abubakar Maje assured the governor that they will work closely with religious and community leaders and all stakeholders to ensure the maintenance of peace and stability in the state.

He also called on youths and the general public to take heart and be more patient as they will remain resolute in advising the government to come up with more measures that will provide permanent solutions to the persistent social and economic challenges in the country.

The Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hameen Nuhu Sanusi, called on the participants to be bold in talking to their followers about the need to be law-abiding citizens and also advise the government on the measures that need to be taken to tackle the existing challenges.

In their submission, the chairman Jigawa State Council of Ulamaus Justice Khadija Bashir (Rtd) said, Nigeria is passing through difficult time, and that everyone is needed to solve the problem, not shifting blames. He also said government should work closely with the people in a transparent manner in addressing the existing and future challenges.

The Ulamaus also charged government and policy makers to as a matter of urgency accelerate their efforts and come up with more policies and programmes that will reduce the economic challenges in the society.