Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Following communal clash involving Waja/ Lunguda people where lives and property were lost. Former deputy governor’s of Gombe state Tha’anda Rubainu and John Yoriyo, on Saturday led a delegation to Adamawa and Balanga on a mediation drive.
According to John Yoriyo, an erstwhile deputy governor to Danjuma Goje, the two communities must shield their sword and embrace peace for the sake of development.
“We are preaching peace, we can’t over emphasize this, without peace we can’t progress, peace will bring prosperity, progress, improvement of life, love and development. As much as we can, let us maintain peace and run away from violence.
“People should know that peace is the only thing that can sustain development, in staying together and whatever we are doing on earth. Peace shouldn’t be optional because even our religion preach about peace and love,” he said.
On his part, Rev. Prof. Iliya Dongs, leader of the delegation from Abuja, comprising of Lunguda/Waja sons and daughters in diaspora, while presenting 20 bags of rice, 8 bags of beans, 40 bags of Semovita, 20 bags Salt and 20 cartons of Seasoning, 20 Jerrycans of vegetable oil, 4 bags of sugar, 20 cartoons of detergents, 16 rolls of bathing soap and 20 cartoons of petroleum jelly, said Waja/Lunguda people in diaspora were united, noting that they received the news of the unfortunate crisis with great displeasure.
Dongs added that, “traditional leaders should liaise with relevant authorities, to dislodge the bad eggs that were stirring trouble, so the people could co-habit peacefully.”
Also speaking, Tha’anda Rubainu, a former deputy governor to former governor to Ibrahim Dankwambo, further urged the two ethnic groups to continue to dwell in harmony adding that peaceful existence is not optional but a must.
He said, “I want to urge the whole of Nigerians that we should tolerate one another, there are many ways of settling disputes, it doesn’t have be about violence. This is because once you marry from a family you become part of that family, God instituted it so that we can live in peace. We should embrace what our elders did; they cemented their bond through intermarriage, through friendship and through advocacy.”
Paramount rulers of Guyuk HRH Kurhaye Dishion-Dansanda II, and Balanga HRH Danjuma Muhammad in separate responses appreciated the delegation for their gesture, adding that it would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the victims.
The Monarch’s
also condemned the crisis noting that the Lunguda and Waja people are neighbours, who have enjoyed peaceful and harmonious relationship for a very long time.
“We condemn in Totality what happened in our district areas, the truth always remains, Lunguda/Waja background cuts across states. Nothing will separate Lunguda from Waja, we have a long standing relationship. We must inculcate tolerance,” the monarch’s said.
