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Clashes: Community appreciates monarch over return of peace

Clashes: Community appreciates monarch over return of peace
NAN-H-32
Peace
By Awayi Kuje
Obi (Nasarawa State), Oct. 18, 2017 (NAN) The Eggon community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday honoured one of the state’s first class traditional rulers, Alhaji Aliyu Dangiwa, as its `Ambassador of peace’.
Dangiwa is the Osuko of Obi, in Obi local government area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the honour was bestowed on the traditional ruler in recognition for his role in ensuring that peace returned to the area following communal clashes that engulfed the area in 2013.
Mr Edward Anzaku, the spokesperson of Eggon community, said that the event was organised to appreciate the royal father for “his role in ensuring that peace returned to the affected communities in which many properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, lives lost with several people displaced from their homes’’.
Anzaku, who is also a lecturer of Sociology with the Federal University, Lafia, also commended the state government for its efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the area and called for its sustenance.
“The outstanding leadership qualities and commitment of our royal father in promoting peace, hence the need for us to organize this reception in his honour and to honour him with Ambassador of peace award.
“His Royal Highness, we present to you this exceptional leadership award as Ambassador of peace and we express our loyalty and support to your emirate council so as to achieve peace in this area and the state at large,” he said.
Anzaku urged the people of the area to forgive and forget the ills of the past and unite in order to bring about speedy development of the area and the state at large.
He also enjoined the people of the state to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation for the overall development of the country.
Responding, the monarch commended the Eggon community for finding him worthy of the award.
The first class traditional ruler charged all ethnic groups in the state to ensure peaceful co-existence irrespective of their affiliation in the interest of development.
“Peace is paramount, priceless and non-negotiable and it is the necessary requirement for the development of any nation.
“It is in this respect, that I want to urge all of us to forgive and forget the differences of the past, to forgive and forget what have transpired between us,” he said.
NAN also reports that the event brought together dignitaries including the officials of Eggon Cultural Development Association and stakeholders in the area, among others. (NAN)
AKW/KOO/MST
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Benue/Nasarawa clashes: Philanthropist organises sports competition to foster unity, peace

Benue/Nasarawa clashes: Philanthropist organises sports competition to foster unity, peace
NAN-H-27
Sports
By Awayi Kuje
Loko (Nasarawa State), Aug. 26, 2017 (NAN) The Turakin Loko in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Adamu Abdul, says he is organising a football competition between the Agatu community of Benue and Loko community to foster unity and peaceful co-existence among the people.
Abdul, who also is the Oyishoma (Worthy son) of Agatu Chiefdom, made this known on Saturday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Loko, Loko Development Area of the state.
He said the event would hold on Sept. 1, in order to bring the two communities together in a convivial environment and restore normal socio-economic relationships.
He said that the competition would take place in Loko to unite Agatu farmers and herdsmen in the two states as a result of protracted crises that engulfed the area from 2014.
He revealed that the match would be played between Agatu United Football Club of Benue and Loko United Football Club of Nasarawa State where governors Samuel Ortom and Tanko Al-Makura would be guests of honour.
“ What spurred me also to organise the competition is to complement Gov. Al-Makura and his Benue counterpart, Gov. Samuel Ortom, in returning peace to the affected communities,’’ the philanthropist said.
Abdul revealed that the two governors would, among others, receive leadership awards of excellent for the promotion of peace and for embarking on people oriented projects.
According to him, sport is a valuable tool for national integration, adding that apart from physical well-being, sports can play an important role for a safer, more prosperous and more peaceful society through its educational values and worldwide network.
“I started this football competition in 2008 as an annual event where about 24 teams are participating and the competition is aimed at fostering unity, peace and harmony among the people of the diverse ethnic, religious and political groups in my area, Benue state and even part of Kogi are participating.
“But this year’s competition, it is going to be between Agatu United Football Club of Benue state and Loko United Football Club of Nasarawa state so as to bring Agatu, Loko people and herdsmen together, in unity and peace for the overall development of my area, the state and the country at large.
“As we are aware like any other sports, there is no permanent enemy in sports, this competition will bring together and unite the Agatu/Loko farmers and herdsmen especially the youths irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
“The competition will also provide an avenue for the two communities, farmers, herdsmen and other people to interact, to exchange positive ideas and pleasantries as well as making the youth to discover their hidden talents as well as reducing youth restiveness in my area and the state at large,’’ he said.
Abdul also disclosed that he has offered free eye treatment and assisted students of his area with bursary among other humanitarian interventions to cater for their health and educational needs as part of his contribution to uplift the lives of his people.
He called on Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, live in peace and shun all negative tendencies in order to achieve permanent peace in the country.
The traditional title holder restated his commitment to continue to key in to youths and people friendly programmes in order to better the standard of living of the people of the area and the state at large. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola