Nation’s hardship: Nasarawa Speaker appeals to Nigerians to shelve planned protest, seeks more time for govt to address challenges

By David Odama

Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, has appealed to Nigerians to shelve planned August 1st, nationwide protest as he seems more to enable the government fix the problems facing the country.

He said the planned 10 day protest against hunger, bad governance in the country should be reconsidered and allow dialogue take the centre stage for both sides to reach an amicable resolution and workable solutions.

The Speaker made the call Sunday while reacting to the planned hunger protest by Nigerians scheduled to take place from Aug.

Jatau whose statement was made available to newsmen in Lafia by his Chief Press Secretary, Jubrin Gomnna, urged the citizens to give government more time to address the economic situation and other challenges facing the country, adding that giving government more time would enable them roll out more people friendly policies and programmes that would improve on the standard of living of Nigerians.

He believed that the problems are surmountable with both short term and long term measures, hence the need for his call for more time to be given to the government to fix the problems.

” His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our own Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr A A Sule are up and doing in rolling out different interventions, programmes that will address hunger and hardship in the land.

” I want to appeal to our citizens and other Nigerians not to protest on the economic situation but they should pray and support government at all levels to address the challenges which no doubt are enormous.

“prayer is the key to solutions to every problem and every leader need prayers and support of his people to succeed

” I want to urge Nigerians to give government more time so that it will roll out more poverty eradication programmes in the land” he said.

The Nasarawa State Speaker also called for calm while urging the youths not to take the law into their hands even as he called on the security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property as well as ensure that peace continue to reign supreme in the country.

While calling on religious leaders, community and political leaders in the country to prevail on their subjects not to protest rather show more patience, understanding and support for government to succeed considering the unforseen effect of protest.

” I want to advise stakeholders both political, religious and traditional leaders to join hands with the government to address the challenges facing the country

” They should talk to their subjects to shun the planned hunger protest scheduled for August in the country, considering what may be its effect” He added.

The Speaker assured of his leadership commitment to pass laws and make resolutions that will improve on the standard of living of the people of the state.

” I want to assure the Government of the 7th Assembly’s readiness under my watch to give all the maximum support to address the hardship and other challenges facing the society.

” We will do what is humanly possible to improve on the standard of living of our people” Speaker Jatau said.

It would be recalled that there is planned 10-day nationwide protest against hunger and hardship in the country aimed at ending bad governance.

Some of the demands includes reduction in fuel, diesel and gas price, open borders for free economy, fish out sponsors of insecurity, reduction in school fees, hospital bills clashed of the salary of public office holders among others.