The Patriotic Elders Forum of Nigeria (PEFN) has called on the organisers of the nationwidel protests to embrace peace talks, just as the Kano business community, unveiled an emergency squad to provide security across markets and business places during the planned protest.
However, while speaking, the National President of the PEFN, Dr Bature AbdulAziz and Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, leader of the Kano business community, respectively ,during an emergency meeting with representatives from major markets and super markets, expressed the need to take proactive steps to forestall looting.
However, AbdulAziz, reminded that protests usually does not provide the required results of the organisers, rather it plunges the nation into catastrophe and uncertainties.
He then called on the organisers to seek for peaceful solution by holding a roundtable meeting with
government and table their needs and the authorities in the other round assuring quick response to it.
He also inaugurated a 20-member committee to coordinate the operations of the self-help group.
Speaking in the same vein at the ceremony, Alhaji Balarabe Tatari, the chairman, Kantin Kwari market traders association, urged youth to desist from engaging in acts capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
Tatari said, reports going round indicate that the protest will be conducted peacefully, notwithstanding “it is incumbent on us to provide adequate measures to protect Kano as the center of commerce.”
He explained that we are aware that in such cases, bad elements usually hijacked the peaceful protest snd turn it into something else by looting and destroying properties”.
“I am appealing to the youth to put it at the back of their mind that Kano is their home and any attempt to make it inhabitable would lead to unforeseen circumstances.
According to him “Kano is our state and we must work together to ensure that whatever comes up is not target law and order.”
On his part, the managing Director, Kantin Kwari textile market management board, Alhaji Hamisu Saadu Dogon Nama called on traders and other business owners at Kantin Kwari to comply with directives and contribute their quota to the maintenance of law and order.
Similarly, the managing director, Sabon Gari/ Galadima and Singa Markets, Alhaji Abdullahi said “We have informed our members to come out on the day of the protest to protect our business premises.”
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