Displaced Bassa People return home
The
Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recently paid a one-day
working visit to Nasarawa State on the occasion of the homecoming of the Bassa
people of Toto Local Government. The Bassa who have been living in exile as
a result of the ethnic clashes that engulfed the Local Government between
1997 and 1998, were coming home as a result of a truce brokered by the Nasarawa
State Government. On the occasion of the reception, Vice-President Atiku advised
all Nigerians to steer clear of ethnic hostilities as this leads to senseless
waste of both human and material resources. Vice-President Atiku recalled
the colossal loss of lives that attended the recent religious clashes in Kaduna
and the cost to Government in relief materials. He therefore advised the Bassa
and Egburra communities to bury the hatchet and learn to live in peace for
the development of the Area.
Addressing
the returnees, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu recalled
that even though the crisis occurred before he came into office, he had spent
the better part of the last 13 months of his tenure trying to water the tree
of peace. He said the gathering was specifically called to savour the fruits
of the tree of peace, which has enabled the Bassa community to return to their
homeland. In a sonorous voice, Governor Adamu said the time has come for all
the peoples of in this country held hostage by needless strife and violence
to learn the vital lessons of history. Nations and communities torn by war
and strife can never progress. He said the day should impress on all gathered
that the tongue is superior to the bullet as an instrument of peace and peaceful
co-existence. When the guns fall silent in the theatres of war, the victor
and the vanquished must still return to the round table to find a lasting
peace. Finally, he sounded a note of warning that the administration will
not tolerate any overt or covert acts by anyone or a group of persons to sabotage
the return and resettlement of the Bassa people.
The
ethnic crisis between the Bassa and Egburra communities has bedeviled Toto
Local Government Area for 26 years. The Area has not known peace for a generation.
Intermittent fighting between the two ethnic groups culminated in the unprecedented
violence between November 14, 1997 and March 1998 in which over three thousand
people were killed. More than one hundred thousand Bassas were displaced and
were forced to live as refugees scattered in at least six States of the federation.
Leaders
of the Bassa and Egburra communities also addressed the gathering. In their
various speeches, they showed a commitment to the peace process and pledged
to ensure that the present crisis was the last in the area.
The
ceremony which took place at the Central Primary School in Toto attracted
an un-precedented crowd and was attended by the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa
State, Dr. Onje Gye-wado, all Members of the State Executive and Security
Councils, a strong Federal Government delegation, all Members of the State
Traditional Council and prominent sons and daughters of Nasarawa State. To enhance the resettlement process, the Federal Government
provided a Bank Draft of Ninety Million Naira and foodstuff worth another
Ten Million Naira. Several other donations were received at the occasion.
Published 10/07/00
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