3 months ago
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President Bola Tinubu’s aides on Public Engagement have been given fresh marching orders to initiate citizens’ engagement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
This came days after the President’s nationwide broadcast in which he called for an end to the #EndBadGovernance protests and expressed his openness to dialogue.
The Head of Media, Presidential Community Engagement Office, Ms. Seun Ajayi, revealed this in a statement she signed Thursday.
The six Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement are Moremi Ojudu (South-West), Chioma Nweze (South-East), Gift Johnbull (South-South), Abiodun Essiet (North-Central), Abdullahi Yakasai (North-West) and Abdulhamid Abba (North-East).
Ajayi said the new move became necessary due to a wave of discussions on the need for the administration to engage with the members of the public through its appointees on policies, projects, and programmes.
Therefore, she announced that the aides “have been tasked with returning to their communities in the geo-political zones to engage directly with citizens.
“Their mission is to ensure that the President’s policies and programmes are well understood and that public feedback is actively incorporated into the government’s agenda.”
The statement continued, “The whole idea is to strengthen the relationship between the government and its citizens and the newly established Presidential Community Engagement Office, a crucial bridge between the Federal Government and local communities in Nigeria, is leading this initiative.
“As part of this effort, the office has introduced the Citizens’ Assembly, a nationwide programme designed to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and considered in national decision-making processes.
“This initiative aims to create a more inclusive and responsive government by facilitating meaningful engagements with the public.”
In his address last Sunday, August 4, 2024, the President urged organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests to “suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.”
He said Nigeria requires all hands on deck, regardless of age, party, tribe, religion, or other divides, to work together to reshape its destiny.
On July 29, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Esseit, launched the Citizens’ Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Essiet decried the gaping disconnect with the Local Government Councils in Nigeria.
To address this gap, Essiet noted that President Tinubu appointed six SSAs on Community Engagement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in September 2023.
The appointments, she said, were part of the administration’s agenda to improve governance through strategic citizen engagement.
Nasarawa police free minors
The Nasarawa State Police command said, on Thursday, it released 10 out of the 50 protesters who were arrested during the hunger protest.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this to our correspondent in Lafia.
“A total of 50 persons were arrested in the state. They were seen disturbing public peace. In Lafia alone, 25 were arrested, out of that figure, we found out that 10 were minors, below the age of 18 and they were Almajiris. So, we released them to their mallams.
“The other 40 protesters have been remanded in prison. An order was issued for them to be remanded in prison pending their arraignment.
“Only one boy sustained a minor injury. He had a scratch on his head. He was taken to the hospital and was later discharged,” the PPRO said.
Plateau, Bauchi relax curfew
Plateau state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Thursday, ordered that the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed in the state capital be further relaxed from 12 noon to 6 pm daily until further notice.
The governor gave the order on Thursday in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs.
“In light of the improved security situation in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, the Plateau State Government has further relaxed the curfew, effective today, Thursday, August 8, 2024. Residents are now permitted to move freely for their lawful activities from 12 noon to 6 pm daily until further notice,” the statement said.
The governor assured the public that his government would continue to make decisions in the best interest of the people.
Also, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, relaxed the 24-hour curfew enforced on Katagum and its environs.
Mohammed on Thursday visited Azare town in the Katagum Local Government Area of the state to assess the damage caused during the recent #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, which turned violent.
The governor, during the visit on Thursday, expressed dismay at the destruction of public and private properties, stating that it was a clear message to those in governance to rethink and provide good governance to the people.
Bala, who also paid a sympathy visit to the Emir of Katagum, Umar Faruq II, over the unfortunate violence, announced that “the state government would pardon the youths who engaged in the illicit behavior during the protest, but they should be warned that any future breakdown of law and order would not be condoned.
“We must commend the Emir for his support and cooperation with our administration, and we promised to rebuild the burnt LGA secretariat and other affected properties.”
The governor revealed that preliminary reports indicated that the hoodlums responsible for the violence were from neighboring states, including Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe.
He urged parents and traditional and religious leaders to take full responsibility for preventing their children from engaging in illicit activities.
Kaduna vows justice for teenager
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Thursday, pledged to ensure justice for 16-year-old Ismail Muhammad, who was killed by a soldier during the hunger protest in Samaru area of Zaria in the state
In a tweet on his verified X platform(formerly Twitter), Governor Sani expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased and announced a high-powered delegation, led by the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, to condole with them.
The governor promised that a full and thorough investigation would be conducted, and the culprit would be brought to book.
His post read: “Today, I dispatched a high-powered delegation made up of top government officials and heads of security agencies to condole with the family of the teenager, Ismail Muhammad who was killed when troops of the Nigerian Army mobilised to disperse a mob in Samaru area of Sabon Gari LG during the last protest.
“The team was led by the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan. While the team was with the family, I spoke on the phone with the Father of the deceased, Muhammad Hussaini and expressed our deepest condolences.
“I told him that we are deeply pained by the unfortunate incident and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is served. A full and thorough investigation will be conducted and the culprit will be brought to book.
“I will stay in close contact with the family of the deceased in these trying times. I pray to Almighty Allah to comfort them. May Almighty Allah forgive Ismail’s shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdausi.”
