The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Wednesday thanked traditional rulers in the state for their timely intervention which helped in preventing youths in the area from joining the recent EndSARS protests.

Aliyu made the commendation during a Dialogue on Sustenance of Peace for Progress held in Lokoja on Wednesday.

She recalled the incidents of the protests and their attendant destruction of lives and property, saying that effective communication in houses, communities, groups and work places would prevent a recurrence .

She said that youths in the country had the right to protest but decried a situation where legitimate protests to seek good governance were hijacked by hoodlums.

The minister stressed the need for traditional rulers to meet regularly with their subjects so as to engender peace from the grassroots to the national level.

According to her, the task at hand now is how to ensure lasting peace in the country and genuine reconciliation among the people for the country to move forward.

She urged traditional rulers in the country to continue to be the voice of guidance and counselling to their subjects.

Aliyu said that traditional rulers, being the closest to the people in various communities, should be at the vanguard of bridging the communication gap between the people and the government.

She stated that the Federal Government had accepted the five-point demand of the youths but said that there was need to give space for implementation.

While thanking youths of the state for their comportment, so far, the minister advised them against embarking on any action that would not augur well for the progress and development of the state.

She said that government was already taking concrete steps toward the evolution of stable and progressive society where they could realise their potentials.

” As adults, we are prepared to hand over the task of running the affairs of the government to this group of people, especially the aspects of building peace,” she said.

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, in his speech, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at bequeathing a virile and prosperous nation, and urged him to remain focused.

Ibrahim called for a constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country so that they could  be in a better position to perform their duties in their various domains.

He also admonished youths in the country to be change agents and partners in the task of building a better country.

The state Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr Israel Alonge, called on government to create jobs for the teeming youths in the country.

Also present at the event were civil society organisations, youth groups, student groups, journalists and market women, among others.
(NAN)