The Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe has called on traditional rulers to learn from the initiative of the Agwatyap, His Highness Dominic Gambo Yahaya, for holding a peace summit in his chiefdom.
Dr Balarabe who gave this advice when she visited the traditional ruler in his palace at Zangon Kataf, also praised the peace summit, where the Atyap, Hausa and Fulani communities committed to living peacefully.
The Deputy Governor advised that ‘’traditional rulers at every level should learn from what has happened here, to initiate this kind of process because we need to come together and break down those walls, so that we can talk to ourselves, so that we can understand that our diversity should be the source of our strength.’’
‘’For me this is just the beginning and I am sure that all other traditional leaders everywhere are already thinking of how to do this. This peace initiative which has been started, needs to be sustained so that we will consolidate and make progress,’’ she said.
Dr Balarabe who was accompanied by senior government officials, also condoled the traditional ruler and his people over what she described as needless killings and destruction of properties, which have hampered development and progress.
Responding, the Chairman of Atyap Traditional Council, His Highness Yahaya, noted that the agreement is just the first step, as all parties need to work harder to actualize peace.
The Agwatyap also advised the state government to support the traditional institutions in southern Kaduna to mobilise and start holding this kind of dialogue and efforts towards peace building.
