***Commends their conduct during the protests
The people of Niger State have been commended for their peaceful disposition during the just concluded Nationwide Endbadgovernance protests with minimal cases of violence.
The commendation which came from the Niger State government specifically lauded the residents for restraining themselves from active participation in the protest and choosing the path of dialogue, adding “Your commitment to unity, mutual respect, and constructive dialogue is not just commendable, but it is the very essence of our collective dedication to the progress and development of Niger State.
In a statewide broadcast to the people, the Acting Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba reminded the the people and other stakeholders that they are the driving force behind progress of the state and therefore should not be seen to be involve in act inimical to the overall development of the state.
“I would like to extend our gratitude to the people, old and young, male and female; the leadership of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Students Union Government (SUG), National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS), Artisan Association, Traditional Leaders, Imams Forum, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Vigilante Group, Road Transport Union, Marketer Association, and other key stakeholders.
“Your decision to honour your commitment and refrain from participating in the nationwide protest exemplifies your role as true partners in progress”, stressing that dialogue and understanding are the cornerstones of resolving conflicts and advancing the development of any nation.
The government also commended the heads of all security agencies, and the vigilante group in the state for their relentless efforts and sacrifices to ensure the safety and stability of our communities during this period, saying that “Your dedication has been vital in maintaining the collective resolve of our people”.
The media was not left out of the commendation by the government who thanked all practicing journalists in the state for their tireless work in promoting the government’s initiatives, pointing out that “your role has been instrumental in our quest to accelerate the state’s growth and development”.
He then assured the people you that the present administration in the state is deeply committed to their welfare and well-being, adding further that “Initiatives such as selling grains at a 50 percent discount across all 25 local government areas are part of our ongoing efforts to support you.
“We are here to ensure your security, prosperity, and happiness. We will soon roll out more initiatives that directly benefit our people as we strive to deliver more excellent and more impactful outcomes”.
He nonetheless promised the people that the State Government is not just willing but eager to convey their grievances, feelings, concerns, and aspirations to the President.
“Your voices matter, and we will ensure that they are heard and that your interests are represented at the national level. We will not hesitate to engage with the Federal Government to address the challenges facing our state and nation”.
He however Expressed regrets over some isolated cases of violence during the protests, especially in Tafa local government area of the where the local government secretariat was touched by some miscreants, stressing that “we must address the unfortunate incident in Tafa Local Government that resulted in the loss of properties. Our hearts go out to the good people of Tafa Local Government”, he added.
The Acting Governor disclosed that the town hall meeting with stakeholders in the state, conveyed by the government before the protests, led to a unanimous decision against participating in the nationwide protest.