GOVERNOR Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has on Tuesday, commended 3,000 Kaduna youth traders at the city’s Central market for shunning violence during the recent unrest in some parts of the State.The governor who met with the traders under the auspices of Phones and Laptops Village Association of Kaduna State also hailed them for their role in restoring peace and protecting the market during the crisis.
El-Rufai said he finds it necessary to meet with the traders who are mostly youth to hear personally and sympathised with them and also to listen to their challenges for possible assistance.
According to the governor, in every crisis women and youth are the major casualties: ” I came to sympathise and to apologise on behalf of the state government for having to restrict your movement and businesses because of curfew.
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” But the curfew became necessary to protect lives and properties. I’m happy that things are getting better and curfew relaxed to enable you to pursue your legitimate business.
” The second reason I’m here is to thank you and commend you for keeping the peace in this market and part of the state. This is because whenever there is a crisis in Kaduna as you know is the young people and women that suffer the most.
” It is young women and youth that are killed, their properties and future that are destroyed. But by the grace of God with your efforts this time that did not happen. I’m happy that despite lost of lives in some parts of the state no life was lost in this market.
” No life was lost in troubled areas like Gonin Gora and this is because young people like you stood up and say no more violence. I want to thank you and urge you to continue with the peace.
” Thirdly, it’s to commend and advice you, you are young people, the future of this state and Nigeria and your future are in your hands. It depends on what you do to build it,” he said.
El-Rufai also described the state as the home of everyone Nigerian, adding that in Kaduna State: “Everyone that comes to live in this state is a citizen of the state. So don’t allow anyone to tell you that this one is from this religion or that religion, Work together to develop yourselves.”
” I’m happy that many of you are engaged in your own business without waiting for anybody to come and give you a job and I want to assure you that the government will come in and support you,” the governor said. ENDs
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