By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
The Niger State branch of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) has advocated 35 per cent of women and youth representation in the second-term administration of the state Governor, Alhaji Abubarkar Sani Bello.
It stated that the measure if taken would represent a paradigm shift from all-male dominated cabinet in the state.
The group also wants the Governor Abubarkar Bello-led administration to exhibit labour-friendliness by implementing the N30, 000 new minimum wage to encourage civil servants to put in their best for the growth and development of the state economy.
The communiqué issued after an expanded State Executive Council meeting of the group in Niger State observed that the role played by women and youths to ensure the re-election of Governor Sani Bello could not go unrewarded.
The communiqué jointly signed by Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi and Segun Frank Olajide, the chairman and the secretary Campaign for Democracy, respectively, described contributions of women and youths during the last election as, ‘‘very enormous’’.
The group also challenged the government to come up with workable policies that would end wanton killings in parts of the country, particularly in some northern states where indiscriminate bloodletting has become a daily occurrence.
Campaign for Democracy attributed incessant breakdown of law and order to level of joblessness in Nigeria. This, according to the group, could only be controlled through massive job creation to discourage idle youths from taking up arms against soft targets in the society.
The group stated: “We condemn in its entirety the increase violence and social vices involving youths. Government should come up with deliberate policies to mitigate these negative tendencies through value re-orientation, entrepreneurship skills development and job opportunities”.
While expecting the implemention of the N30, 000 new minimum wage in Niger State as signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, Campaign for Democracy also wants Governor Bello to also scale up pensions, arrears and payment of gratuities for retirees in the public interest.
