Kehinde Fajobi
The Kaduna State government has offered ₦100,000, smartphones, and other support to 39 #EndBadGovernance protesters recently freed from detention.
The reunion ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Children Homes along Kauru Road, where Governor Uba Sani promised to assist the protesters in reintegrating into society.
The governor pledged empowerment opportunities for the individuals, provided they adhered to lawful and responsible conduct.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, explained that Sani had directed him to collect the credentials of those with tertiary education and promised some would receive start-up capital, skill training, or employment.
Meyere also clarified that the state government would track the conduct of the released protesters to ensure they maintained good behaviour before receiving benefits.
He added, “The governor promised that some of them will be given start-up capitals to commence trading, others will be taught skills, and some will be given employment.”
To facilitate monitoring, the state government collected the detainees’ contact details and Next of Kin information.
“The released #EndBadGovernance protesters were all medically examined and given psycho-social counselling on the need to change for the better and to be useful to themselves and society at large,” said Meyere.
He also mentioned that the protesters received phones to replace those they lost during detention.
Additionally, the governor provided each with ₦100,000 as a gesture of goodwill.
Kaduna’s Commissioner for Human Service and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, addressed the group, emphasising the government’s commitment to their welfare.
She urged them to become ambassadors of peace, avoid unlawful protests, and rebuild relationships with their families, stating, “We want you to be ambassadors of peace and preach peace within your peer groups, so you won’t be involved in any unlawful protests.”
Salisu concluded by inviting them to return for additional training.