Rev. Balere Emmanuel, Chairman, Joint Assembly of Christian Lawyers and Journalists.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Christian Lawyers and Journalists in Bauchi State under the aegis of the Joint Assembly of Christian Lawyers and Journalists, have applauded the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom by Governor Bala Mohammed.
The Association also frowned at what its termed the “unnecessary controversy” trailing the action saying, it is needless, while calling for support to Governor Mohammed to deliver good governance to citizens.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Balere Emmanuel, and five others, the association stated, “We, the Christian Lawyers and Christian Journalists working in Bauchi State during a joint forum meeting held on 21st December 2024, feel duty bound to address some of the issues that have risen following the pronouncement of Governor Bala Mohammed on the creation of Sayawa Chiefdom.
“We show our deepest appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for taking a bold step in addressing the issue of creating a Sayawa Chiefdom which has lingered for over three decades and seemingly defied solutions by the previous administration in Bauchi State.
“This bold step has been applauded by a cross-section of Nigerians particularly ethnic groups and peace-loving Nigerians, who view the move by the Governor as a commendable step to bring lasting peace and development to hitherto marginalized people who have struggled for self-actualization for decades.
READ: Mutfwang celebrates Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment as WTO DG
“However, the Governor’s kind gesture towards bringing lasting peace to the Sayawa people has generated a lot of controversies, especially the siting of the Headquarters of the Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa town.
“We feel these controversies and uproar are needless, owing to the Governor’s statement during a meeting with the Committee on the creation of Sayawa Chiefdom and key stakeholders at the Governor’s House on December 9th, 2024 that: “After due consultation and conviction and persuasion, the Headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom shall be cited in Tafawa Balewa town”.”
The statement added, “We feel that the involvement of the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, the Muslim Rights Council, and some Islamic clerics among others is needless. This is further compounding issues and causing unnecessary tension in Bauchi State which has enjoyed relative peace in the past few years.
“We call on those who are aggrieved and dissatisfied with the Bauchi State Governor’s decision on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom and citing its headquarters in Tafawa Balewa Town, to sheath their swords and seek for redress, if any, from the appropriate quarters.
“We submit that we focus on what unites rather than what divides us. We call on Governor Bala Mohammed not to be deterred by any form of distractions that might come in any guise against his pursuit of creating the Sayawa Chiefdom because this long-anticipated pursuit will bring long-lasting peace amongst the people, create a sense of hope amongst them and a stronger sense of belonging to their home, Bauchi State.”
