OFFICE OF HRH, THE AGUMA OF BASSA TURUNKU CHIEFDOM, TOTO LGA, NASARAWA STATE,
Wednesday,
August 21st, 2019.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT!
On Tuesday the 20th of August 2019, HRH Dr. David Wodi Tukura, the Aguma of Bassa Turunku Chiefdom received the Bassa-Egbura Peace Committee appointed by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello.
The Committee has five (5) Bassa and five (5) Egbura representatives. The Committee also has representatives from the Bassa Nge and Igala, in the persons of Comrade Yusuf Nda Ibrahim (Bassa-Nge) and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and Intelligence, Alhaji Ibrahim Tahir (Igala).
Speaking for the Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Tijani Tahir said the Committee has a primary task, the visitation of all the Paramount Rulers of Toto LGA, mainly the Ohimege of Panda, the Onah of Toto and Aguma of Bassa Turunku Chiefdom. Earlier in the day, the Committee had visited the Ohimege Panda, Alh. Abdullahi Usman and the Onah of Toto Alh. Umaru Azaki.
Addressing HRH, Alhaji Tijani Tahir lamented the woes that had befallen Bassa Local Government because of the crisis, especially the human tragedy of population displacement. Many of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Bassa-Egbura Conflict are currently located in Toto Local Government Area. The Special Assistant recalled with nostalgia, a time when the Bassa and Egbura lived together as brothers and neighbours.
While responding, HRH demonstrated his mastery of the Igala language as he welcomed the Special Assistant in perfect Igala dialect. He also greeted the Bassa-Nge Representative in Nupe. HRH welcomed the Committee and asked that they convey the gratitude of the Bassa people to Governor Bello for honouring him with the visit. He told the Committee that his own people were also victims of the crisis as he and his people are still in Exile. HRH enjoined the Government to adopt a comprehensive approach to the crisis by ensuring all displaced persons are settled. HRH also highlighted the need to ensure leaders of both communities speak to each other sincerely and openly. He advised both communities to identify all the conflict triggers so that mitigating measures can be adopted to prevent future conflict. He advised on the need to carry the youth along so they can resist attempts to misuse them through acts of violence. HRH also highlighted on the need to tackle rural poverty vigorously, as poverty lay at the root of most rural conflicts and agitation.
Members of the Delegation include Elder Daniel W Gwatana (Chairman); Hon. Alhassan Adakeke; Dr Abdukareem Abubakar; Barrister Dugbanya David; Stephen Sekpe; Hon. Ibrahim Yakubu; Jonah Jimba; Tanimu Hamza; Samuel Yizoma and Alhaji Ibrahim Nda Salihu.
The Delegation has since returned to Lokoja.
It will be recalled that in December 2018, Governor Yahaya Bello inaugurated a peace committee to look into the persistent conflicts between the Bassa and Egbura in Bassa LGA of Kogi State in order to find lasting solutions to the lingering crisis.
The Committee has since embarked on a rigorous campaign for fair arbitration in the matter.
Signed:
Jibreel Gimba
S.A. Media & Publicity,
For,
HRH.
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