By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a Reconciliation Committee to resolve the prevailing crisis in the Yoruba community in the state.
The committee was inaugurated on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),Dr Abdullahi Bichi,on behalf of Governor Abba Yusuf.
“To resolve this conflict between the Oba’s group and Aare group, we have carefully selected you as members of this committee as each one of you is a leader in his own right.
“More so, it is an issue of concern to the state government because the Yoruba Community is an integral part of the Kano community.
“His Excellency wants you to use your wealth of experience and knowledge to resolve the prevailing conflict within the community.
“On behalf of the Governor, His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and in the name of Allah, I Inaugurate this committee,” Bichi said.
Some of the terms of reference for the committee as outlined by the SSG, include inviting the two conflicting parties within the community with the aim of addressing the crisis.
The eleven-member committee is also mandated to invite relevant associations, interest groups and individuals that reside in Kano to make written/oral submissions related to the crisis.
It will also invite and dialogue with all organizations or institutions such as the Kano Emirate Council “because of complicities surrounding certain appointments by the council.”
The body is also tasked to find out the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and the roles played by various parties both internal and external.
It is also charged to proffer solutions and recommendations and submit its report to the state government within 4 weeks from the date of the inauguration.
Members of the committee are drawn from the academia including Prof. Usman Muhammad as Chairman and Dr Ransom Bello as co-chairman.
Other members include Prof. Afolabi Falola, Prof. Ibrahim Khalil, Prof. Akindele Mukaddas, Prof. Usman Malumfashi and Prof. Nuruddeen Salahuddeen,and a representative of the Kano Emirate Council.
In his response,the chairman of the committee, Prof. Usman promised to deploy the best conflict resolution tactics to get to the root of the crisis “with responsibility and commitment.”
On his part,the co-chairman, Dr Ransom Bello thanked the state government for finding them worthy for the job and promised to deliver on their mandate.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-community Relations for Yoruba Affairs, Abdussalam Abiola, urged the Yoruba Community to cooperate with the committee and make sacrifices in order to allow peace to reign.