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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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