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Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau (middle), presenting a cheque to a victim of Billiri crisis
By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
People of Billiri Local Government Area and indeed the entire Gombe State have been appealed on to use the recent unfortunate violent crisis that bedeviled the area which led to lost of lives and properties into building an enviable, stable and peaceful state.
The appeal was made by the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau at the flag off of payment of compensation of the sum of N591 million to 544 persons that were affected during the tussle for the Royal Stool of Mai Tangle, the Paramount ruler in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State in February this year.
According to the Deputy Governor, “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 and a better Gombe State and indeed better Nigeria, Africa and the World, emerge “.
He also said that, “this is not impossible, because we have the country of Rwanda which experienced far worse crisis, is now a model in development among African countries and even to some developed countries”.
The Deputy Gov also prayed God to guide, guard, bless and reward the people with the spirit of forgiveness, love and determination and belief that the future has more prospects than the past.
Mabassah Jatau further explained that the Flagg off was a show of care, concern and love of the government towards not just the victims of the crisis that occurred, but towards the entire community and environment.
He then conveyed the sympathies of the Governor and the people of Gombe State over the misunderstanding that led to loss of lives, properties and means of livelihood. He prayed God to grant them the understanding, love and human feelings so that such does not occur in the future.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Finance, who is also the Chairman of the compensation committee, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, said that the event was to mark the Flagg off of cash assistance and relief to victims of Billiri crisis that occurred sometimes in February this year.
He explained that out of 554 persons affected, 103 beneficiaries are relatives of dead victims, and victims who lost their personal properties and worship centres, while the rest are victims who lost commercial and business premises and properties.
He further said that, the Governor approved and released about 588 million for the assistance, pointing out that the exercise shall take the whole week.
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. He prayed 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.
He commended the Deputy Governor for being so supportive to the Governor and ensuring that the state moves to greater heights. He called on the people to emulate him by supporting the initiatives of the Governor for the 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 God to reward them.
The relations of dead victims who collected their cheques included Monday Moses, Abba Adamu, Naziru Usman, Yila Daniel, Abdullahi Wanzam, Bello James, Tasiu Uba, and Muzakiru Ubba.
Some lives were lost with property worth millions destroyed after many impatient 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.
