Bauchi Governor Mohammed emphasizes diversity as strength of unity, urges stop of discrimination on ethno-religious sentiments

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Bauchi Governor Senator Bala Mohammed, top Government officials, contractors, others at the groundbreak of the road project.

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has stressed that diversity is the strength of unity and peaceful co-existence anywhere.

The Governor therefore said that he will do everything humanly possible to ensure that the diversity of the State was harnessed for growth and development irrespective of the ethno-religious diversity.

Bala Mohammed was speaking on Saturday while flagging off the construction of the 4.6km Sabon Kaura – Birshi – BRC FM, 2.4km Gwallameji – Doka – Rafin Zurfi and 1.2km Bayara roads in Bauchi Local Government Area stressing that he will work with the traditional institutions to ensure that nobody was discriminated against based of ethno-religious differences.

He warned that his administration will not tolerate any forms of divisions along ethno-religious line because according to him, “We are one, we were created to live together as one and we must tolerate each other.”

The Governor further said that, “Every Christmas, we open the gates of the Government House to accommodate Christian women in order to show them that we care for them. We are not doing that for the Moslem women because we don’t have where to accommodate them inside the Government House because of their number.”

He lamented that the communities that are in the outskirts of Bauchi have suffered neglect by past administrations due to the fact that they are in the minority.

According to him, “I cannot wish you people away because you have always stood by me since I ventured into politics in 2007. You voted for me into the Senate and in 2019, you voted for me, in 2023, you repeated it for my second term.”

He also said that, “I promised to construct roads for you and today, I am happy to fulfil the promise. My hope is that you will continue to be peace loving people and live peacefully with others.

“As you are agitating for me to go up to manage Nigeria, I have to start from here, manage the diversity in Bauchi state, be fair and just to all irrespective of the ethno-religious differences. That is how God created us in Nigeria,” he added.

The Governor commended the Christian dominated areas for their patience and cooperation over the years saying,”I am particularly proud of you, you have not allowed bad eggs to infiltrate you and you have remained peaceful since I came on as the Governor of Bauchi State.”

He assured them that his administration will continue to pursue peace and unity of the state stressing that it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that development can be made.

Mohammed also said his administration remains committed to the replication of infrastructure, as it plays a key role as an enabler that will accelerate the economic growth and enhance the social economic growth of the people.

He said that, “these projects, once completed, will boost our economy and strengthen community ties, considering the significance of the roads during farming season.”

He affirmed that his administration is dedicated to ensuring their timely completion and extended his gratitude for the support from the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji (Dr) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, the traditional institutions, and the citizens.

He said that their backing is invaluable, as together we strive to create lasting legacies affirming that his administration is gearing up to launch initiatives to further alleviate economic hardship across the state because it is focused on enhancing the well-being of our people.

He added that another 5-kilometer road that will link Gwallagan Mayaka with Dandanko has been added emphasizing the importance of enabling them to transport their agricultural products to markets to improve the standard of living and boost economic growth and development.

The Governor urged the people of Bauchi State to continue supporting the administration as it makes efforts to address the poor road network facing various communities across the state.

In his remarks, the Works and Transport Commissioner, Hon. Ibrahim Gambo Galadima, emphasized the importance of the road, considering that it leads to connecting various communities across the axis.

A representative of the construction company, Triacta Nig. Ltd., assured the Governor of quality execution of the project according to the specifications. However, he solicited the cooperation and support of the community members to facilitate the smooth execution of the project.

The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu, expressed gratitude in a vote of thanks, stating that the entire community in the Bauchi Emirate would remain grateful to the Governor for implementing high-quality development projects for the good of all.

The communities commended the governor for embarking on the project, which they had expected for a long time, considering the hardship they were enduring due to the dilapidated condition of the road.

The residents of the benefitting communities trooped out in their numbers to express their appreciation to the Governor as he flagged off the multiple road construction across the settlements.

Also, stakeholders from the local government area, led by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Bauchi LG, Hon. Zainab Baban Takko, in her remarks, emphasized the road’s strategic importance for economic growth and development and pledged the entire Bauchi LGA’s support to ensure the success of the project for the growth and development of the Bauchi Metropolitan.