Niger Speaker to sponsor bill for inter-tribal agency

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Abdumalik Sarkin-Daji, has announced plans to sponsor a bill aimed at establishing the Inter-Tribal Agency for the state government.

Sarkin-Daji made the announcement on Wednesday during a town hall meeting organised by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Inter-Tribal Matters, George Dike.

He commended Dike for his efforts in mobilising residents from various tribes in Niger State to support the governor’s New Niger Agenda.

The Speaker highlighted the importance of the special adviser’s role in promoting social awareness among Niger residents, noting that the governor would likely support the bill.

“I never doubted your capacity when you were appointed as the special adviser on inter-tribal matters in this administration.

“To be candid, I know His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, considered making you a Commissioner in the Ministry of Inter-Tribal Affairs.

“However, the Governor decided to start with a special adviser role to assess the impact before creating a full ministry for the community. George Dike, we are proud of you,” Sarkin-Daji said.

He further emphasised that understanding and engaging with inter-tribal communities is crucial beyond just political mobilisation strategies.

“If you limit it to only political mobilisation, you are not fully addressing the needs of the inter-tribal community. Mr. George Dike, I want to congratulate you,” he added.

“Before the creation of a ministry of inter-tribal community in the state, I, as the Speaker, promise you that I am going to sponsor a bill at the state assembly for the creation of the Ministry of Inter-Tribal Community.

“I won’t have to wait for the government because I know the governor is definitely going to assent to it. I am going to sponsor a bill for the establishment of the Niger State Inter-Tribal Agency.”

The Hon. Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly said, “I will make sure that if that agency is established, from the Director General to the Managing Director, to the Executive Director, to the coordinators, special advisers, and all staff of that agency must come from the inter-tribal community.”

“Just like we have in Niger State, the Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs, where for the first time in history we have a Fulani man as permanent secretary.

“Today, in the executive council, we have a Fulani man participating in the executive council meeting. By God’s grace, in no distant time, George Dike will also be in that meeting,” Sarkin-Daji assured.

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