News

Tension: Plateau residents in shendam kick against the use of the word Yelwa in the creation of a new district

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2022

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Tension: Plateau residents in shendam kick against the use of the word Yelwa in the creation of a new district

By Bodunrin Kayode

Security operatives are battling to maintain the fragile peace is shendam as some residents mostly young peo cple have kicked against the addition of the word Yelwa to the creation of Nshar district out of shendam council area.

The Goemai Youth Movement (GYM) at the end of a meeting held in Shendam recently had warned that there was nothing like Yelwa Nshar when they got wind that some people were agitating for the creation of an additional District in shendam.

This sparked high tension which resulted into the pelting of some government buildings last week when they realized that indeed the government had included “Yelwa” to the name of the proposed district instead of Nshar which is the original name of the place which the Goemai are the ancestral owners.

An impeccable source close to the ministry in charge of traditional institutions however revealed that “it was not the government but the settler community that were trying to manipulate the government not to identify the place with the original name and the Goemai through their youths are saying no to that word Yelwa.

“They the settlers are the ones clamouring for the Creation of the District and the District Head which the government is planning to give to them but we will not let that happen because remember that the so-called Yelwa is the biggest market in the whole of Shendam council area.” Said the source who preferred anonymity.

Shendam council area is dominantly a traditional Gomei territory with a mixture of muslim settlers who have been living with them for years when issues of religion was never a big deal until settlers claim to land became a dicey one which caused a big crisis in 2004.

“As it is today, there are among them grand children of Goemai, whose mother’s are Goemai but their fathers are not Goemai but they are Muslims instead of christians which is why beneath all this tension is the issue of religion which may not be too obvious because the muslims now dominate Yelwa.

“However, there are Jarawa from Bauchi who settled in Nshar too all of mixed religions. Taroks, Mwaghavul, jukuns, angas and several other ethnic groups including the Hausa.

“The fear of domination by non Goemeis is usually the case and that was also the Crux of the last crisis in 2004 in which over 1000 souls perished. However, there is no dispute about ownership of the land because, there are official documents that confirm the ownership of the place by the Goemai. Equally, the Report of the the 2004 Plateau Peace Conference ‘Plateau Resolves ‘ confirms that.” Said our source

The tension of last week this reporter learnt was so palpable that the Long Goemai Miskoom Martin Sheldas “was whisked out through the back door and brought to Jos for security reasons”.

“This was because the youths came out in their large numbers after their meeting held on August 6 and marched to meet the Paramount ruler Sheldas to present their resolutions to him as stated in their communique.

He is the paramount ruler now and it is expected that he will do the coronation when the district is finally approved if the government acceeds to the demand of the residents.

” This desperate move to create a Yelwa- Nshar district may not be unconnected with the ambition of the Governor who may be pushing for this whole thing to manifest as part of his campaign promises to please a group against his senatorial ambitious inspite of despite persuasions by the Long Goemai to restrain him from going ahead based on superior intelligence.” Said the source

Issues bothering on land, chieftaincy are very intricate to Goemai people because they are warriors like the jukuns who never give up on their traditional lineages be it land, religion or any sociological aspect not related to their beliefs.

This reporter learnt that even when the Europeans came they did not tamper with the Goemai like the jukuns of wukari.

The Goemai people have held unto their traditional worship and other practices despite the advent of Christianity which penetrated through the Catholic faith.

Reaction from the Plateau peace building agency

The Plateau Peace Building Agency, (PPBA) in a reaction to the development expressed worries about the sudden twist of events in Yelwa-Shendam council area of the State.

In a release signed by it’s Director General Joseph Lengmang over the weekend, it noted that they are particularly worried that the issue of the selection of a traditional leader that will fill the vacant stool in that area, that ordinarily should be a peaceful exercise, is causing unwarranted uproar and restiveness amongst the people.

It went on “We should not be in a hurry to forget the ugly events of the recent past in Yelwa-Shendam where scores of precious human lives and property worth many millions of Naira were destroyed through mindless and needless violence that served no one any good.

” For the avoidance of doubt, the protest in Shendam yesterday was for the name “Yelwa” to be expunged from the newly-created Yelwa-Nshar District with the Shinbu automatically assuming the position of District Head and; not against the installation of an Emir as being bandied around by some curious individuals and groups.

“We therefore sue for calm, with the understanding that the issues in contention can be amicably resolved without a recourse to violence.

“We cannot afford to allow the horrific incident of the past rear its ugly head once again. And therefore , we must rise up and say no to any attempt by unscrupulous elements who are determined to turn the hand of the clock backwards.

“We call on all religious, traditional and other community leaders to rein in their followers and supporters by exploring peaceful means of finding amicable solution to the impasse.

“Similarly, we call on those social media enthusiasts who are mischievously peddling all sorts of unverified and fake news about Yelwa-Shendam to desist henceforth.

“This ill-wind you are blowing will not spare you when the situation degenerates to a point of no gravitation.

“We must also commend the local authority in Shendam and the various security agencies for the prompt response to what would have been another disastrous chapter in our history.

“We call on those communities to continue to cooperate with security agencies to prevent Yelwa-Shendam and Plateau State from sliding back into the abyss of violence that has once been the persistent plight of our people.

“We must guard this hard-earned Peace with all sense of responsibility and duty to both God and humanity.” It stressed.

No plans to install an Emir in shendam…. Commisioner of information

Equally responding to the tension in the area, the Commissioner of information Dan Manjang noted that the attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to fake news circulating in some conventional and social media platforms alleging that there are plans to establish an emirate council or install an Emir in Yelwa, Shendam Local Government Area.

And this is leading to tension mounting in the area and culminating in criminal elements pelting some prime buildings in Shendam town including the Palace of the Long Gamai and looting some shops.

The went on to state that government hereby states categorically and unequivocally that such stories are unfounded and should be disregarded while at the same time condemning such behaviors in its entirety.

“The Government wishes to put in on record that there has never been any time that such idea was contemplated or even discussed. To say the least, this is the imagination and machination of mischief makers aimed at throwing the State into the dark old days thereby drawing the hands of the clock backwards and making nonsense of the peace we have achieved since the coming of the rescue administration.

“In the light of the foregoing therefore, Government hereby warns such mischief makers to desist from their evil intentions as it will not take it kindly with anyone found to mastermind such retrogressive tendencies.

Manjang noted that Governor Simon Bako Lalong has already directed security agencies to go after those mischief makers by ensuring that there is no escalation of the breakdown of law and order in the area, Shendam council area and Plateau State as a whole.

Government hereby beckons on the general public particularly residents of Shendam council area to be circumspect and go about their normal duties by disregarding such dangerous rumours and providing timely information to security agencies to enable them act swiftly.

“Government hereby advises the public to always cross check their facts from constituted authority and seek for dialogue rather taking the laws into their hands.” He noted.

News

I Am Pained Over Loss of Lives in Maitama, Okija Stampedes, says Women Affairs Minister

Published

2 days ago

December 22, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

I Am Pained Over Loss of Lives in Maitama, Okija Stampedes, says Women Affairs Minister

*says incidences avoidable

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has lamented the losses of lives in Maitama, Abuja and at Okija, in Anambra State during food distribution drives by private institutions aimed at supporting the people as they celebrate the festive season.

The minister expressed deep grief describing the gestures of the donors as laudable, but condemned the crowd management approaches adopted.

In a statement on Saturday by her media team, Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that they were avoidable incidences, and prayed for the repose of their lives, and speedy recovery for those injured.

While condoling with with the FCT Minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, the minister called for thorough investigations into the incidences in order to forestall future occurrences.

The minister emphasized the need for crowd assessment which involves estimating the number of recipients and planning accordingly as a pre-event measure.

She also admonished Nigerians who are planning similar distributions to choose spacious, open areas with minimal obstacles, adding that distributions should be scheduled at a time when the crowd is likely to be smaller.

The statement reads in parts : “I am deeply pained by the news of stampedes in Abuja and Okija in Anambra State today. As a mother, I understand the pain of loosing anyone in death under such horrible circumstances. I join the families and governments of the FCT and Anambra State in this distressing moments, and feels the pains of those directly affected.

“These incidences are avoidable if adequate safety measures are put in place. I hereby call on security agencies to investigate these cases in order to forestall future occurrences.

“By implementing the above measures, the risk of stampedes during food distribution would be minimized.

I Am Pained Over Loss of Lives in Maitama, Okija Stampedes, says Women Affairs Minister

News

Christmas: Gov Zulum Provides Free Transport To 710 Borno Non Indigenes

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Christmas: Gov Zulum Provides Free Transport To 710 Borno Non Indigenes

By Francis Okoye

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has provided free transport to 710 non Indigenes living in the State to enable them travel home to celebrate the Christmas and the new year with their loved ones .

The free transport scheme which was flagg-off on Saturday at the Borno Express Bus Terminus saw about 285 persons traveling to the various parts of the country, of which the second batch of 285 would travel on Sunday, while the remaining ones would be leaving the State on Monday.

Speaking during the flagging off, the Chairman/ Zonal Coordinator Ohaneze All Progressives Congress ( APC ) support group, Chief Ugochukwu Egwidike , said each of the 710 travellers apart from the free transport scheme would receive a cash sum of N50,000, while about 250 widows who did not travel would be given N50,000 each to celebrate the Christmas.

Egwudike added that Governor Zulum has made significant strides in providing succour to the needy with various initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting social welfare, like very subsidised transportation services within Maiduguri metropolitan council, as well as sponsoring many Christians to Jerusalem for pilgrimage.

” Apart from enhanced reduced transportation in city, Governor Zulum’s administration has been offering free transport scheme for all the non Indigenes in every yulitide season like this to connect any part of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with a total of 710 beneficiaries reached annually, thus bridging the gap in mobility and connectivity, and promoting economic growth and development.

“He provided emergency aid and resources to the non Indigenes affected by the recent flood incident in the State and thus showcased his ability to respond to crisis and prioritise the wellbeing of all residents. The Governor has been providing this free transport scheme to non Indigenes from 2020 to date, ” Egwudike said.

He said the Governor’s gestures demonstrate his dedication to creating a more just and equitable society where all the residents regardless of the their ethnic, religious and party affiliation, have access to resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

The Oba of Yorubas in Borno State, Alhaji Hassan Alao Yusuf who witnessed the flagging off ceremony in company of other leaders, appreciated Zulum for the gesture ,saying that the transport scheme to the non Indigenes has depicted the detribalised nature of the Governor.

” He doesn’t care about your religion, tribe or party affiliation. You can see that everyone of the travellers are happy with the Governor’s gestures. Many of them due to the present economic hardship wouldn’t have made the journey to go home and celebrate with their loved ones if not for the free transport scheme,” said Alhaji Yusuf.

In the same vein, a member of the board of trustees of Igbo Welfare Association/ Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Borno State, Pharm Napoleon Egbonu , commended Governor Zulum for his continuous support to the non Indigenes in the State,

Pharm Egbonu noted that the gesture of the Governor to the non Indigenes in the State is a unifying factor that needed to to be emulated by other Governors in building a trust and unity among ethic groups across the country.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Borno Express Transport Corperation, Grema Zanna, appreciated Governor Zulum for the gesture, saying the what the Governor has done is part of his programme of alleviating the issue of high cost transportation to the residents of the State.

He noted that those that are benefiting from the free transport scheme notwithstanding being non Indigenes have been contributing to the economic development of the State, and are part and parcel of Borno State

Christmas: Gov Zulum Provides Free Transport To 710 Borno Non Indigenes

News

Buni explains achievements in 2024

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Buni explains achievements in 2024

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe state Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, has said in 2024, our effort in the health sector led the Yobe state government to win 500,000 US dollars in the primary healthcare leadership challenge for states in the North-East sub-region.

We have achieved 100% payment of hazard allowances and adjustment of CONMESS and CONHESS salary scales to healthcare workers, recruited 311 new members of staff, including doctors, nurses, and other cadres, and ensured the continuation of our free dialysis program for kidney patients.

Governor Buni disclosed this while addressing journalists at the End-Of-Year 2024 Media briefing at Cedars Recreation Center Damaturu, the state capital.

The governor, who was represented by his ever-loyal deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana Wazirin Fune, also said, apart from the achievements recorded in the education sector, such as the building of many model and mega schools, the award of scholarships to students undergoing various courses within and outside the country, ministries, departments, and the agencies (MDAs) legacies, which are not mentioned in the speech.

Idi Barde Gubana, who read the speech of the governor who was attending another very important meeting of the Northern Governor’s Forum in Kaduna, revealed that, “in the year under review, through robust and prudent management of score resources, we were able to turn around the fortunes of our people by making significant investments in education, agriculture, healthcare, and wealth and job creation, and road construction, among others.

In the recent Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) empowerment program we unveiled, a total of 52,997 households and 201,300 individuals were reached with a total sum of #3,907,387,056, while 456,205 other households with a total of 974,220 individuals were reached with food and non-food items support.

He said, “In the area of agriculture and food security, through our agricultural revitalization program, the sum of #15.3 billion was spent to provide farm implements and inputs to 5,340 farmers across the 178 wards of the state. The state government is also spending $1.7 billion in the procurement of assorted grains for our strategic grains reserve.

“Similarly, in the area of wealth creation, a lot was also achieved. These include the procurement of 475 modern sewing and embroidery machines, procurement and distribution of 350 disability tricycles, procurement of 712 nos. of cows and bulls to livestock farmers, provision of cash grants of #150,000 to 3,560 micro and small entrepreneurs across 178 wards of the state, and provision of cash support of #20,000 to 4,800 unemployed youths.

In addition, training of 85 youths on shoemaking and provision of start-up kits, distribution of 500 units of deep freezers to women in the ice-making business, procurement of 1,780 smoking stoves, 1,780 frying pans, 1,780 frying spoons, 1,780 sieving basins, and 1,780 bowls. Procurement of 100 units of pick-up tricycles for distribution to beneficiaries and the procurement and distribution of 340 work bulls, 170 ox-drawn carts, and 170 ox-drawn plows, among others.

In his welcome address, Yobe State Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, said this is the first time in as many years that His Excellency himself would avail us of the opportunity to address this kind of end-of-year gathering.

He said Yobe state, and indeed Nigeria as a whole, cannot thrive and make any meaningful progress without peace and security, and the participation of all citizens requires that the media always focus attention on what brings the people together rather than what sets them apart.

“I am confident that with your support, the Yobe state government under the charismatic and indefatigable leadership of His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, in the months and years ahead, will continue to reach even more milestones and make an even bigger impact in the lives of the people of the state, he said.

“On behalf of the management and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information, and Culture, I want to express my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, ably represented by his ever-loyal deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana Wazirin Fune, for sparing the time to address this distinguished gathering of our state’s press and media community.

Buni explains achievements in 2024