The Kwara State Government has sued for peace among the residents of Share and Tsaragi communities in the Ifelodun and Edu Local Government Council Areas, over the recent clash on land dispute around the Kange Community, bordering the two ancient Communities.
The two communities – Share and Tsaragi were reported to have been embroiled in an age-long crisis over the ownership of a piece of land in Kange, a community near Share which is occupied by the Nupe people.
Arewa PUNCH gathered that one person was allegedly injured in Kange village last week Thursday following the renewed clash between the people of Share and the Nupe occupants of the village.
To nip the crisis which would have resulted in another tribal clash in the bud, the Kwara State Government hurriedly organised an emergency meeting with the community leaders.
The State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed this during an emergency meeting with the concerned Paramount Rulers – the Etsu Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwo and the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman, the High Chiefs and prominent personalities from the two Communities.
The Governor, who was represented at the meeting by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Abubakar Bata warned that the present administration would no longer tolerate any act of civil unrest in the affected communities and the state at large.
In a statement by Oba Azeez, press secretary in the ministry, AbdulRazaq implored the monarchs to take cognisance of their peoples’ welfare and build on the strength of their diversities through the spirit of peaceful co-existence.
According to him, “Traditional Rulers have been a strong pillar of support for the present administration in terms of advice and suggestions, and the government have such trust in them, especially as it concerns dispute resolutions.
“I want to implore you (the royal fathers), the high chiefs and stakeholders from the two communities to ensure that you maintain the peace because an enabling environment for economic and socio-cultural advancement can only be achieved by calling your subjects to embrace peaceful dialogue and tolerate each other,” AbdulRazaq reminded them.
In their separate responses, the two monarchs hailed the governor for facilitating the peace meeting and for making known their grey areas on the disputed land.
They promised to ensure that such an ugly incident never does raise its ugly head in the two communities again.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Iyabo Adekeye expressed appreciation to the State Governor for providing an opportunity for the monarchs to express their minds over the land dispute, while also lauding them for their submissions which symbolises their willingness and readiness to ensure that peace returns to their two communities.
Caption: The Etsu Tsaragi, HRH, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwo (4th right); Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Bata (5th right); the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman (6th left); and the Ministry’s Perm Sec, Mrs. Iyabo Modupe Adekeye (5th left); with other High Chiefs, prominent indigenes, and stakeholders from the two communities during the meeting.
