The newly appointed management committee Chairman Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Ezekiel Mandyau Esq today commenced the tour of the 5 Districts and communities affected by violence attacks in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
The essence of the tour is to get firsthand knowledge of the challenges confronting the people and better ways to address them as the Chief Executive of the Local Government Area.
Barr. Mandyau visited the Imam Abdullahi Abubakar of Nghar Mosque in Barkin Ladi LGA who saved over 200 people when communities in the area were attacked, hundreds killed and property destroyed in June, 2018.
Barr. Mandyau appreciated Imam Abubakar and others for the heroic act of saving locals when he hid them in the mosque.
He said the Imam cannot be repaid in anyway and urged others to emulate him by promoting peaceful coexistence, love and unity.
He said youths as vanguards of peace must be seen practicing same. He urged the people to have a forgiveness as admonished by the Holy Scripture even in the most trying moments of their lives and existence.
He said though they have gone through a lot, the best they could do is look up to God, return to Him and do what pleases Him so He can heal and restore the Land.
Imam Abdullahi Abubakar in his remark thanked God for the capacity giving him to do what he did. He said there was no way he could had return the favor and hospitality accorded them with evil. He urged the people to embrace peace, unity and demonstrate love toward one another at all times.
Imam Abdullahi Abubakar was awarded with the United States’ International Religious Freedom Award for his heroic act of saving the lives of over 200 people, mainly Christians, during last year’s killings in Plateau State.
Herdsmen were reported to have killed over 200 people in several communities in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State between June 23 and June 24, 2018.
When some of the fleeing locals ran to Nghar village in Gashish District, Imam Abubakar hid hundreds of people mostly Christians who were believed to be the primary targets of the devastating attacks in his house and mosque to shield them from the attackers.
When the attackers came around to ask the Imam to surrender Christians under his protection, he lied that they were all Muslims and begged them to go. His relentless persuasion eventually resulted in the attackers leaving the area without hurting anyone else.
During the award ceremony, the first of its kind by the US Department of State, on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, Abubakar was praised for putting his life at risk to give refuge to his Christian neighbours.
“His actions bear witness to true courage, true selflessness and true brotherly love,” the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, said.
The tour in Gashish District climaxed with a town hall meeting in Kakuruk Village where the Council Boss, Barr. Mandyau was well received by the people of the locality.
Barr. Mandyau thanked all those who are contributing to peace building and urged them not to relent.
He said what is affecting the people affects him directly.
He said poverty and illiteracy must be fought not the fight against human beings.
He appreciated Gov. Lalong for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Management Committee Chairman to contribute his quota to the growth and development of the Local Government Area.
He also thanked the people for the overwhelming supports they are according him saying the supports are attestations that they will succeed in their assignment.
He urged the people to embrace peace and live in harmony.
He said the people, Local Government Area, State and Nation at large must return to God.
Barr. Mandyau said he will concentrate on projects and programmes that will have direct impacts on the people and society.
Gwom Nghar, Mabitin Mallo appreciated the Council Boss for the visit and thanked God for preserving their lives.
He said the area is in need of roads, security, gainful employment for the teeming youths and humanitarian assistance to those displaced.
Hardo of the community, Alh. Idris Gidado applauded the visit and admonished the people on the need to live in peace to attain greatness.
Special Task Force authorities in the locality however say dialogue and reconciliation was key to attaining the government’s objectives.
Colonel Ojo and Colonel Audu, the Commanders of the STF Sectors 4 and 5 respectively, separately said at the meeting that officials needed to bring communities together to discuss their differences.
Da Hon. Jock Alamba, a Former Chairman of B/Ladi LGC and National official of the APC said poverty and illiteracy are responsible for insecurity.
Hon. Alamba said “when as a leader you neglect the people in their hunger and poverty, you fuel anger and hatred.”
Mr. Ibrahim Musa, the leader of the Fulani community in Gashish said, “when youths lack education, they take to drugs and when they go into drugs, they become violent. ”
The LG Chairman’s campaign was launched along with a community needs assessment survey.
The survey form is expected to be circulated in the locality and filled by citizens.
The Council Boss said findings from the research will guide government policies and programmes.
In the entourage of the LG Boss were his Secretary, Hon. Capt (Rtr) Rwang Pam Dusu, Hon. Benjamin Chollom Leader B/Ladi LGC Legislative Arm, other Councillors, Supervisory Councillors, Top Management Staff of the Council, Heads of Security Agencies from the Area, Party stalwart, Youths, women and elites from the District.
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