By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has praised the Sokoto State Government and its residents for their peaceful conduct throughout the ten-day nationwide protest.
The Council commended the effective collaboration among security agencies, whose continuous patrols and surveillance played a crucial role in maintaining peace and order in the state during the protest.
The NUJ highlighted the commendable efforts of the state government in minimizing the impact of potential attempts to hijack the protest, which was a concern in other parts of the country. The Union also expressed gratitude for the patriotism displayed by community leaders and residents. Notably, the protest’s impact in Sokoto was limited to the first day in the metropolis, with no incidents reported during the subsequent nine days across the state.
In related news, the Council applauded the Sokoto State Government’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly the construction of standard road projects throughout Kara Ramen Kura Market, which had suffered decades of neglect.
The NUJ also recognized the government’s efforts in reconstructing roads in the Sahara business area and Gawon Nama, repairing roundabouts, patching potholes throughout metropolitan roads, and installing street lights and security fencing along the pavements in the metropolis.
The statement, signed by NUJ Chairman Dalhatu Abdullahi and Secretary Muhammad Nasi Bello, also acknowledged the state government’s significant investment in agriculture. The provision of fertilizers worth billions of naira, distributed free to farmers across the state for the first time in history, was particularly noted as having a substantial impact.
However, the Council urged the state government to intensify efforts in addressing ongoing security concerns across the state and to create more opportunities to alleviate the current hardships faced by the people.
Considering the financial challenges faced by the state workforce due to the high cost of living, the NUJ called on the Sokoto State Government to be among the first to fully implement the recently approved national minimum wage by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Additionally, the NUJ highlighted the plight of pensioners in the state, many of whom are among the worst affected by the rising cost of living. The Union noted that several retirees have yet to receive their benefits, and many others are not yet enrolled in the monthly pension payment scheme. The Union urged the state government to address these issues promptly.
