Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has announced N20,000 wage award for the state and local government civil servants in the state.
The governor stated this during a town hall meeting in Minna on Thursday.
He also assured members of the public that the youths from the state would not participate in the nationwide planned protest.
Bago said that dialogue was a better path than protest, adding that youths in the state would not take part in any protest.
“We have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquility.
“You can start a demonstration, but you cannot end the demonstration, to youths who are agitating for protest, end the agitation, let us dialogue on the best way forward,” he said.
Bago also announced the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains such as rice, maize, guinea corn, millet and beans to be sold at 50 per cent less than the current market prices.
He said a committee would be set up to facilitate the comprehensive sales of the food items at designated areas across all the 25 local government areas.
The governor called on security agencies, religious leaders and traditional leaders to ensure proper monitoring of the sales.
Bago disclosed that the food items were from the 100,000 metric tonnes of food in the state government’s reserve, adding that his administration intends to slash food prices by 90 per cent in a few months time.
He, however, supported the local government autonomy and advised council chairmen to utilise the funds judiciously to execute projects that would benefit the people.
Speaker of the Niger Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, commended the efforts of the governor in providing purposeful leadership and assured that the legislative arm would continue to give all the necessary support to the Bago-led administration.
He said a more rewarding programme would be organised to engage the youth rather than participate in the planned protest.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the town hall meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor,.Yakubu Garba, Chief Judge of the state, Police Commissioner and Heads of security agencies.
Others in attendance were the members of National Youth Council of Nigeria ( NYCN) students’ unions, National Association of Niger Students ( NANISS), traditional and religious leaders amongst others. (NAN)