Stop giving us money for Sallah, Kebbi youths tell Bagudu, gov prays for unity, safe return of Nigerian pilgrims

The Leadership of Non-Indigene Youths Association in Kebbi State has appealed to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu to abolish monetary gifts he usually gives them during Sallah and fasting in the state.

They urged the governor to instead find other means of supporting them.

In a joint media briefing in Birnin-Kebbi, their leaders, Issa Issa and Uche C., said the money the government usually gives them creates disunity among the different non-indigene associations in the state.

They explained that some ungrateful persons were accusing their chiefs and government officials of misrepresenting the gesture.

“We appreciate all your efforts, but we want to use this medium to appeal to you that because of the money some tribes have been in disarray, we want you to use other alternative either through the food stuff or other materials to assist us.

“Some people wrote a letter to the emirs and Government House seeking the removal of their chiefs, some are even seeking a court injunction and for these reasons, we want this thing to be stopped,” they said.

They also expressed happiness over government’s commitment towards promoting peace in the state, adding that when contacted, other non-indigenes from other states of the country confirmed that they do not receive such largesse because of the kind of crisis that usually followed.

“We don’t want money to be given to us again. In fact, it is not all our members that even supported your second term in office, but you are still helping us.

“Some of the youths were trying to kill each other while sharing the money. Please save our souls for us to live long and have peace with our families,” they added.

Meanwhile, Governor Bagudu has prayed for peace and unity of the country and wished pilgrims a safe return to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia.

Bagudu offered the prayer while felicitating with people of Kebbi on this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival at Government House, Birnin-Kebbi yesterday.

He said, “We continue to use this period of Edi-el kabir celebration to pray for peace and unity of the nation and we pray for the safe return of all Nigerians who went for pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

“Thanks be to Allah for giving us good health to celebrate this Edil-el-Kabir.

I rejoice with people of the state and President Muhammadu Buhari for peaceful Sallah celebration.”