From Paul Orude (Bauchi), David Onwuchekwa (Nnewi),
Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has pledged to rebuild vandalised structures in Azare, the headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area, during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Governor Mohammed made the pledge when he visited Azare town to assess the level of damage perpetrated by hoodlums during the protest.
He pledged to rebuild the structures vandalised in the local government Secretariat and the Government Lodge during Day 5 of the protest against end of bad governance, and stressed that the destruction of properties was uncalled for, unwarranted, and criminal.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the governor condemned the destruction caused to public and private properties by rampaging youths.
He explained that Katagum LGA secretariat was the worst affected, noting that more than half of the building was destroyed including Finance and Accounts Section. He called on citizens of the state and Nigeria as a whole to avoid discord and encourage peace and togetherness.
The governor said his administration was set to initiate a comprehensive plan to restore and reinvigorate Azare by embarking on the construction of additional roads, renovation of public buildings and establishment of empowerment programme for citizens, specifically youths and women.
He said even though they had already built the secretariat they would still go back to the drawing board to see how they would rebuild the secretariat.
Governor Mohammed said they had discussed with the commissioner of Police that they will establish Police station in the secretariat
He pledged to open up the Azare town because of the hundreds of people living in the area and to execute more infrastructural projects in the area.
He commended the Emir of Katagum for his contribution to the development of the state, promotion of peace and support to his administration.
He urged community leaders to intensify effort in promoting unity and peace and sympathized with the bereaved families, emphasizing that his administration will continue to prioritise the protection of the populace.
His words: “As leaders, we have heard the voices of the masses, and collectively, we will address the various needs. My administration is making frantic efforts to address the development loopholes in Azare town and its environs. The government will engage in sensitisation messages on the need to live in peace and harmony with one another.”
He promised to also provide support to the immediate past deputy governor, Senator Baba Tela, whose personal residence was attacked together with one neighbouring Islamiyyah School.
Governor Mohammed sympathised with the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Faruq II, over the unfortunate incident and him for his fatherly support to his administration.
The governor also relaxed the curfew in the local government to boost commercial activities.
Responding, the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Farooq II, commended Mohammed for his concern and assured him of the total support of the traditional institutions.
The Emir of Katagum appreciated the governor’s prompt response that prevented escalation of the violence and called for more efforts to address youth restiveness and unemployment in the state.
He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army, particularly one military officer who exhibited high sense of professionalism that doused tension during the protest.
Meanwhile, a Southeast group, Odimmaigbo Youths Association Worldwide, has commended all the youths of Igbo extraction for listening to voice of reason by not participating in the hunger protest in line with the resolution taken by Ndigbo not to join in the exercise.
President of the association, Mr Ibeh Chimezie, the Vice President (Mazi Tony Anyanwuakpoke) and Patron (Chief Innocent Okoye), in a statement jointly signed by them, said the singular act of staying away from the protest proved that the Igbo, especially the youths could still act with one voice to prove a point.
The youths said that since the Igbo had always been the target of every protest in Nigeria, that the wise thing was for Igbo youths to stay away from being part of the exercise to disappoint those who had perfected their evil plans and waiting for Igbo to join, to get them slaughtered. The youths said Igbo usually bore the brunt and had learnt their lessons.
The statement read in part: “The military always go wild with Igbo youths in any protest, so we decided to stay away from the protest. We shelved it to avoid being the scapegoats.
“We equally asked Igbo youths residing in other geopolitical zones of the country to shelve the protest and make sure their properties were protected.
“It is obvious that the Igbo properties may not be protected, if they go out for a hunger protest, they will loot your shops and even go after your life.
“Ndigbo are tired of seeking freedom, relevance and equal treatment in Nigeria. They have not been accorded their proper place in the comity of the Nigerian nation. So, their joining the protest won’t make any difference and the region has also been frustrated with their failed quest to produce Nigeria’s President.
“So, now we have wept enough. We have been short-changed enough. What else do you want us to do, join the protest? No way. We don’t have to do so. So, we instead remained quiet and started praying to our God. We have handed everything to the hands of God and we know he will answer our prayers, “the association said, adding, “the protest was organized by other ethnic nationalities to lure the Igbo into destruction.”
Some leaders in the South East had, earlier before the protest, warned Ndigbo to shelve the protest.
One of the leaders and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, Ben Kalu, asked the Igbo to shun the protest or risk being targeted.
“Ndigbo should stay away from the protest. They will target you and they will waste you,” Mr Kalu said in a video clip.
Kalu told the Igbo that they had died enough and should step aside in the protest.
“Sit at home. If there’s any sit-at-home that should be effective, not the one you do on Mondays, let it be the one that will happen in this protest,” he said.
The youths used the opportunity to appeal to the governors of the South East to make conscious efforts to create jobs for Igbo youths many of whom they said wallowed in penury for want of job.