Billiri Crisis: Like Rwanda, May Gombe Come Out Stronger, Better – Dep Gov Jatau
- State government doles out N591m to compensate 544 victims
BY WILLIAN ATTAH, GOMBE – Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau has urged the people of Billiri local government and Gombe State, in general, to overcome their current challenges and build a more peaceful and united State.
He said the recent unfortunate crisis presents a valuable opportunity for soul-searching by all well-meaning individuals and groups towards the greater good of building an enviable, stable, and conflict-free State.
In the aftermath of that crisis in which many indigenes of Billiri Local Government Area demanded the official announcement of Dr. Musa Idria Mai-Yamba as the newly elected Mai Tangle by the traditional kingmakers in February 2021, many lives were lost with property worth millions destroyed.
The Deputy Governor made the appeal while flagging off the payment of N591 million as compensation to about 544 persons affected by the Mai Tangle Royal Stool tussle on who becomes the Paramount ruler of Billiri Local Government Area in February this year.
According to him; “My sincere prayer here is that we should witness a change in this. In line with the catastrophic theory of change, may a better Billiri, better Tangale Community, better Tangale-Waja, a better Gombe State, and indeed a better Nigeria, Africa and the World, emerge.
“This is not impossible, because we have the country of Rwanda which experienced a far worse crisis, and is now a model in development among African countries and even to some developed countries”.
Dr Jatau also prayed that God should guide, guard, bless and reward the people with the spirit of forgiveness, love, determination, and belief that the future has more prospects than the past.
For him, compensation was a demonstration of the government’s care, concern, and love not just for victims of the crisis, but also towards the entire community and environment.
He conveyed the sympathies of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and the people of Gombe State over the misunderstanding that led to the loss of lives, properties, and means of livelihood, even as he prayed God to grant them the understanding, love, and human feelings so that such unfortunate incident does not occur in the future.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Finance, who also serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, said the event was to mark the Flag-off of cash assistance and relief to victims of the Billiri crisis that occurred sometime in February this year.
Magaji explained that out of 554 persons affected, 103 beneficiaries are relatives of dead victims, and victims who lost their personal property and worship centres, while the rest are victims who lost commercial and business premises and property.
He said the Governor approved and released about 588 million for the assistance, pointing out that the exercise shall take the whole week.
The Mai Tangle, Alhaji Danladi Sanusi Maiyamba, thanked the Governor for being magnanimous enough, even going out of his way to assist victims of the Billiri crisis and prayed to God that something like this will never occur again.
The Senior District Head of Gombe, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar, applauded the government for coming to the aid of the victims and also praised the Deputy Governor for being so supportive to the Governor and ensuring that the state moves to greater heights.
He urged the people to emulate him by supporting the initiatives of Governor Inuwa for the overall good and transformation of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Tasiu Uba appreciated the Government for assisting them to be able to bounce back to life, praying to God to reward them.
Some relations of the dead victims who collected their cheques include Monday Moses, Abba Adamu, Naziru Usman, Yila Daniel, Abdullahi Wanzam, Bello James, Tasiu Uba, and Muzakiru Ubba.
Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau (middle), presenting a cheque to a victim of the Billiri crisis
