Putting Heads Together Brings about Progress
Kilba Development Association
Putting Heads Together
Brings about Progress
HöBA
NEWSLETTER
Edward Wabundani,
Head, VON Bureau,
North East Zone, Gombe
It is a common knowledge that a community's fortunes depend largely on its human and natural resource endowment as well as on the quality of its leaders. It is therefore obvious that the Höba Community of Hong Local Government Area in Adamawa State is a special breed blessed with both human and material resources but unfortunately infected with a bunch of callous and irresponsible elected representatives at the grassroot level who seem to have no regard for the plight of their electorate.
This allusion stems from the recent crises that engulfed the corporate existence of the community, which was reported as being masterminded by this group of people as a result of in-fighting based on some trivial issues.
That unfortunate event provided ready-made news pegs which attracted the attention of the global network, national and the Local media. Of course, the consequence of such global reportage by the Western press for instance portends that the actions of these elected representatives was tantamount to threatening the country's hard earned democracy. By implication the community as a people was portrayed as ungovernable lot. However, it is gratifying to note that, that is not the character of the ordinary Kilba man. Rather that bad image was caused by their elected leaders in the area.
Although the immediate and remote causes of the crisis generated a debate among Nigerians from all walks of life, it was however widely believed that the crux of the matter was primarily based on lack of political will, a mere class struggle coupled with selfishness perpetrated by the council executives with the help to their collaborators. What a shame!
Irked by the inaction of this crop of rulers, the Kilba Development Association and other Leaders of Thought met in Abuja and expressed concern over the situation. Generally even in the component villages of the Local Government people visibly expressed their unhappiness over the development and the behaviours of the council officials. The state Government swiftly reacted by suspending them indefinitely and subsequently instituted a panel of inquiry to investigate the crisis.
It is in the light of the above that the Abuja Chapter of the Association under the able and dynamic leadership of Professor Gamaniel Shingu convened a meeting of the entire community at the Government Science Secondary School Hong on Saturday, August 25, 2001 to deliberate and make a pronouncement on the unfortunate incident in order to save the corporate image and integrity of the Local Government Area.
Before the peace meeting, the consent of some prominent personalities in the State, among whom were His Excellency, the Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Governor Mr. Boni Haruna, the Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aliyu Mustapha and the security agents were sought. It was based on the collective understanding of all of them and for the sake of peace that they gave their blessings for the meeting to go ahead.
The Convener, Professor Gamaniel mindful of the State Government's intervention by way of instituting a panel of inquiry to investigate the crisis believed that the Government should not be left alone to stem the problem, hence the community's decision to come together and provide a peaceful atmosphere at the home front while the investigation continues.
National delegates of KDA drawn from nine States of the Federation viz. Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi, Lagos, Adamawa, Jigawa, Borno and Federal Capital Abuja also saw the attendance of some of the district heads and some members of the embattled council officials.
At the session, delegates unanimously condemned the action of the elected representatives. They observed that the recent incident may have been informed by lack of political focus and direction by the entire community which resulted from a poor political game plan coupled with self centeredness of the Local Government Officials among others.
While some of them hold the opinion that the elite's inability to show interest in partisan politics in the area is responsible for the crisis, others, on the other hand blamed the situation on the weakness of traditional institution in the area. This school of thought therefore suggested that some form of a focused leadership that commands the respect of the entire community should be sought to curtail the problem in future. While fighting an external enemy they posited, collectivism and corporate identity is very paramount.
One of the respected elders of the community, the former Military Administrator of Katsina and Kebbi States, Brigadier General Baturu Chama who addressed the gathering also lamented over the misunderstanding and called for restraint. He observed that the Höba community had a sizeable number of skilled professionals and public officers who could turn around the fortunes that abound in the area.
He suggested that a Committee should be set up to look into various sheds of opinion within the community with the aim of bringing everybody on board. General explained that the existence of minor differences is natural and unavoidable but cautioned that common views and common interests must always be respected by all and sundry.
Also, a one time Commissioner of Health in the State, Dr. Godwin Mava Billi dwelt on the need for the council officials to imbibe the spirit and legacies of “Mbanya” collective decision in all their activities as left behind by the community's ancestors. He recalled that the Höba ancestors worked with courage and vision for the corporate existence of the area.
According to him the words of elders were always regarded supreme and final in all disagreements among the people. Dr. Bill added that it was on this premise that the “Elders Committee” of the Local Government was formed in 1992 before its current illegal transformation into factions. This he observed was unfortunate and a sad development detrimental to the collective unity, progress and the general development of the community.
In the final analysis, the main deductions to be made from the in actions and or behaviours of the community's elected representatives in the area is that while they were claiming to be catering for the electorate, they were actually busy taking care of themselves in cunny manners. Their methods in this regard were tactful. For instance, it was alleged that the council officials sometimes agree to use public funds to provide social services only within their constituencies, while denying other needy areas such services and facilities. On the other hand, they approved development for almost every needy community but they made sure they enjoy the better part of them. Of course, you can be sure that those were not only issues that brought about the crisis.
Be that as it may, let me first of all commend the efforts of all well-meaning indigenes of the community, the various chapters of KDA, other leaders of thought and the Adamawa State Government for their concern and timely intervention in the crisis. Let me also advice that electorate at all levels should always monitor the performance of their elected representatives without fear or prejudice.
This is with a view to respect and honour only worthy and pragmatic leaders on the basis of their individual performance. It also implies that the electorate should reflect on such performances before considering the incumbent representatives for re-election. This way the politicians themselves will realize that serving the people objectively rather than themselves while in office is their best bet. This will also discourage them from perpetrating trouble and misunderstanding and concentrate more on development while in office.
From the President’s Desk
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am happy that we are all able to express our views concerning the current issues at home. The whole idea behind the Höba Newsletter is about communication and free expressions. We are equally beginning to enjoy the privileges of the website through the massive mails that we receive everyday. Keep your dial. I am however worried about the low level participation shown by our women folk. Why are they silent? Without a single item of views from our sisters and mothers, we cannot claim to be comfortable. Our sisters need to show more concern. Write about our mistakes for corrective purposes or simply air your views because this is our time. We have to take the opportunity of democracy and technology to liberate ourselves. Eventually all the divers views and concerns will be pooled together and put to use. So please ride on!
I should remind you about one thing though. The fact that our brothers at the LGC made their mistakes and put us to shame does not make them less Höba than you and me. Yes, they may receive their punishments commensurate with their bad behaviours. However, at the end of the day, we must have forgiving hearts to carry all Höba. These guys are still ours. Their children, their wives and parents are ours.
Some of you are still in doubt about our real mission, when we successfully convened a meeting in Hong on the 25th of August 2001. It is important at this juncture to refer members to the back page of Thisday Newspapers on Sunday 26th August 2001. Our situation was the same. That is why we salute the courage of the Association of Kilba professionals for reacting immediately. That is how it should be in a democratic setting. So, the meeting at home achieved a reliable consensus on the crisis and prescribed the way forward. We will not stampede Höba into further crisis. We shall take our time while pursuing that goal with determination according to our collective wishes.
Prof. K. S. Gamaniel
DIRTY POLITICS IN OUR LAND
Democracy is a beautiful thing that is desired by all modern societies. This is because it is the fastest way to grass-root development. But to achieve a stable polity, democracy must be sustained through good political manoeuver. Politics is not a game of hatred and bitterness, but a consensus type of arrangement in which the elected leaders are seen to be true representatives of the people’s interests and desires. Sustainable development can be achieved if the polity is stable and if the people at the helm of affairs are patriotic to their land and well focused. The leaders must be selfless and the governed must be good followers.
The Höba community has been plunged into a political mess because its elected leaders instead of playing politics the way it should be done, have deliberately decided to play it the other way round. Some schools of thought have it that the suspended councillors and chairman cannot carry the blame alone for their unwholesome acts of impatience, selfishness and disrespect for leaders. Other views have it that the crisis was infact generated by political opponents who found it difficult to accept the people’s verdict.
For such people, once they contest and loose election, their successful opponents automatically becomes their real enemies. They continue to hate them and plan all sort of evils against them. They continue to cause confusion in the land. But these people who appear to be ignorant of politics need to be told that politics is a game of numbers. They need to know that in any type of competition, there must be a looser and a winner. They need to understand that at the end of it all, verdict of all political manoeuvers and struggles should be taken in good faith. All that need to be done is to plan towards becoming the winner next time.
The other category are those that feel that politics is such a cheap game that they can manipulate from the back door. This type of people use some form of sentiments among the people such as religion, village or district. These people must be made to understand that Höba who are all brothers and sisters and descendant of one parent existed for hundreds of years before the thing we refer to as Christianity and Islamic religion was brought to us by some foreign people. Our parents accepted these beliefs in good faith as better alternative paths to eternity on the basis of their understanding of the teachings of either of them. Despite their accepting different faith, they still lived in harmony and love as brothers and sisters under the same roof. There was tremendous unity and achievements despite their divers opinions or religion. This is an era where religion is now becoming a source of hatred and disunity amongst brothers and sisters of the same parents. A source of destruction of our land. Please for God's sake let these religious zealots be strongly advised to put religion completely out of politics of our land and make it a personal matter.
The other category are those that see politics as money making venture. These people don't have conscience. Give them just small amount of money; they can do anything not minding whether it is right or wrong, bad or good. They intimidate those in political office for want of what they term as ' settlement'. It is so pathetic that during election, fifty naira is enough to buy a vote for a candidate you don't even know. It is time we educate ourselves to shun all vices capable of destroying our land in the name of money and ensure that only credible candidates are elected into political offices.
We see these issues as diversionary and perpetrated by those that really have nothing to offer our community. This is a community that HIV is now ravaging. All crimes are on the increase. Do you know how many orphans and widows there are at home now? How many young men and women are jobless and find it difficult to feed themselves? What are you raising sentiment for and leaving out the real issues of concern?
Let politics in a democratic era be our source of fast development. We need real patriots to chart our course. People that will ensure that our villages are linked with access roads. People that will ensure that our people have access to portable water, electricity, good health care and education to our youths.
The people we need are those that will turn things around for Höba. Those that will look at the issues of poverty in our land and not work on sentiments and religion, clan or settlement. Settlement will cause more harm than good to our community.
THE GREAT HöBA
Jan Hyalla shil tö na mon sököu. Lali ma.
As at the year 1926, the Höba numbered about 21,000. I have lost my mathematics wizardry since I went to the University to read architecture. Even with that, I am sure that the figure would by now, by projection, have translated to cover 140,000. I do not need to carry out a head-count to know this. Alas! The 1991 census gave Hong Local Government Area (LGA) up for 126,000. This figure in fact includes Hildi and Uba Districts. Mind you, the Höba got access to Medicare long before over 90% of the people of the present day Adamawa State, courtesy of the missionaries who came to Pella in 1920. There is no doubt about this fact. It follows then that mortality rate would have been low amongst Höba. Hey! Wait. HIV/AIDS has come to town but surely as at 1991, the magnitude was not as high as it is now. This therefore could not be a factor of population reduction amongst us. Moreover the sentinel survey of HIV/AIDS by the Federal Ministry of Health puts Hong area at 4%. Yes! Meningitis, cholera, and other deadly infections have dealt a heavy blow on our population, but they did, on other populations too. What happened to our population? But what is the fertility rate? Ya a zöndö tö ya shili da ya mahii da o pama möna? But what the hell am I talking about? Before I tell you, it has just occurred to me that I mentioned HIV/AIDS. Please for God's sake I implore all the Höba unions all over the country, to mobilize all other age groups both outside and inside Höba land and to sensitize them about the menace of this deadly virus. Hong Central PTA and the Kilba Development Association (KDA), Abuja organized awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS this year at Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Hong. Unfortunately, Höba kur made most of you not to attend while others were simply discouraged from attending. Change your ways for the betterment of your kith and kin. Please attend these programmes and encourage your kith and kin to do so for their own good. Thank you.
Now back to the earlier question. Pick up your copy of the last issue of this magazine and refer to this serial. In it, I wrote that we were brandished names for certain reasons. I still stand by this point, and will continue to stand by it till Thy kingdom come. I challenge any contrary opinion. Now, for the same reason, and for the fact that we are always nonchalant about issues that affect us, we were simply given a figure that suited powers that be, as our population. Let me state here that in 1991, I was at home during the census period. On the evening of the first day of the head count I went to Hong, specifically to Desan. By shear coincidence, the driver to the Census officer that was posted to carry out the programme in Hong was also present. During a discussion session he lamented that there were sufficient census materials in the store but his boss would not release them. All my efforts to see the officer in person failed. Our Local Government Council even did not help matters at that time. They were asked to provide adequate logistics for the field officers, but they refused on the grounds that it was a Federal Government affair. Can you imagine? These were the reasons why we got the figure that we have today for our population. Nonchalance!
My friend's son was having breakfast with his father. They were taking miru`u and kwasai. This man took one byar full of the stuff and soon after he put it into his mouth, he spewed it out because it was too hot. The son said, “Dad, na him good for you. Didn't you know that mum did not remove the fire inside?” Now why the hell did mum not remove the 'fire' inside? She must have been very sure that dad was wise enough to know. She probably might have been told that it was a crime for her to remove the `fire` inside. What if she was told that she did not know how to remove this 'fire'? What if dad had vehemently, rudely and indeed arrogantly told her not to tamper with the 'fire' inside? Hey? Possibly mum will be seen as being arrogant if she removed the 'fire' inside? These were all left for him to judge, but all the same he was nonchalant.
In my very first article I suggested that we must re-examine our approach to issues that concern our corporate existence. I threw a challenge to our historians that they should pick up their history books and remind us of ourselves. The same challenge went to all readers of this Newsletter. How for heaven's sake can we not have this kind of Local Government Council, which has embarrassed all of us? Very fine, we are experts in fire brigade operations. Why can't we use our expertise to plan for good governance? Why can't we use our expertise to plan future and to pro act on such embarrassing activities? I do not blame these young chaps who have embarrassed even the highest elite in Höba. All of us have failed woefully by not giving them good direction. We have only succeeded in fanning embers of shame, embers of unproductiveness, embers of hatred, embers of all sorts of unwholesome attitude especially among the youth, all because of selfishness. These attitudes have been with us for a very long time and we still think that we must hold on tight to the endless and rotten rope. What a shame! When shall we grow then? When shall we even realize that our biological children have grown? Aha! I now know. We did not mba. We therefore could not mbabiya our children. Ngirpu.
Möza, I have decided to write on the shameful show of ignorance of all of us Höba and the crisis in Hong Local Government Councils (LGC) recently. We have pulled Hildi and Uba Districts into this mess. Out of the 774 LGs in Nigeria, not even were Umuleri and Aguleri LGCs, or Modakeke and Ijaw councils suspended. The first LGC I heard of over the BBC, as being completely and indeed thoroughly corrupted was none other than Hong. Yet möza, this LGC has over 100 primary schools, over 25 secondary schools, and one college of education. What are we teaching our youth? Show of shame? Where the hell did we go to school? Where did we train ourselves after our school? Why for heaven's sake should we tell ourselves that we have Generals, professors and all sorts of professionals? Nonchalance! Na him good for us! The problems are not coming from the common man, the ordinary Höba man. They are coming from us elites. My God! At the same time we cry of lack of unity. Ngirpu. Let me state here that unity is paramount to whatever we intend to achieve in this land and no single individual höba can be left out. All must be carried along.
Let us now agree that we the elites have failed Höba. Let us also agree that we need to start politics from the first principles. We do not have to benefit directly from what we are going to start. This is because when our parents and grand parents were sacrificing to buy us uniforms, footballs, cutlasses, pencils, they did not care what the benefits were. Let us for God's sake have a rethink for the future growth of our children. I can hear you say in your heart that your children, grand and great grand children will never go to Hö'i Höba to school. Very fine! Please allow us to continue to develop our roots. All we want from you is peace. Let peace reign in Hö'i Höba please. Amen.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we must condemn what happened in Hong. What the cause is, we can only guess, or speak about it with malice. We all knew it was brewing. We all knew when we elected the Councilors and Chairman. We all sat and told stories of how problematic they were, we refused to pro-act. We have therefore reaped the first fruits of our labour. The love of selfish end is the beginning of all troubles.
See you next time, when we continue our serial on our roots.
I do not know if I can chart properly on the Kilba landscape. Oral tradition revealed to me that my father, Mallum Ndagezarda Bananda is from Kram-gwahi (the mountains), which is now known as Mijili. The name Mijili is traced to the nomadic Fulani who used to serve drinking water to their animals at the base of the mountains. It is said that while the animals drunk water, the herdsmen would observe their Moslem prayers. The area attracted many Fulani men and women who used to ask themselves whether they had observed their usual prayers. The obvious answer was “Mijuli” meaning I have prayed.
The Kram-gwahi people like the Kilba people were traditionally farmers who moved from place to place in search of arable land for their farming purposes. Consequently, my forefathers went as far as Shashau a settlement near Döl (river) Shashau, which originates from Kram-Hong (Hong mountains) and terminates into the Hawul River near Garkida. Some of our parents went towards Naiwa, Migzil, Gashala, Kwatau, Mblagyang, Maki, etc. Pockets of similar settlements abound in Kilba land today. I understand some Hyema (mountain base) people migrated from Gaya. I am also told that towns like Makera, Kala'a, Kwambla, Mararraba-Mubi and even Hong are mostly made up of people from Gaya. My father eventually became a grassroots evangelist and is said to have established churches in Bulamari, Kubutava, Zalanga, Munga, Mutuku and later Mbalwaha where I was born. In those days such people were referred to as “Mallum” (teacher) and hence his popular name up to this day is Mallum Mbalwaha. I grew up therefore within this axis.
Although I got near to knowing certain things about the Kilba people, I may not be in the best position to give a suitable account of them. However this write-up is intended to tickle our minds on some awful common knowledge of oppression, deprivation, suffering, neglect and abuse that the Kilba men and women are going through. At the end, it may be possible to arrive at the root causes of these problems in relation to the Kilba people themselves.
Many years ago when the Fulani and their followers (Jihadists) wanted to oppress the Nigerian nation, Kilba people defeated them hands down. So serious was the humiliation that our staff of office was made superior to that of the Fulani that time. However, the Fulani man was more of a field man due to his nomadic nature. It is said that the Töl Höba asked the Fulani man to represent him at a meeting of traditional Chiefs held in Kaduna then. As a representative, he betrayed his master and the Kilba treasury was transferred to Mubi for “safe keeping”. The outcome of that act is what we are witnessing today. The Töl Höba and infact the entire Kilba people have been too wise to meet and discuss matters of common interest. I cannot relate the exact happening during the dark days of Töl Njidda and Töl Maunde. I know however that nothing can be farther from the truth that no concrete human or material development occurred over those periods. Worse still, there were cases of injustices meted out to the people by the people.
As a result, prayers were said all over the land for the forgiveness of the sins of the Kilba people and for God to grant them an upright leader who had interest of his people at heart. God answered the peoples' prayers by appointing a man of the people, Töl Bulus Nyako. Record has it that there was a physical and spiritual upliftment of the Kilba land at that time to an extent that barren women became pregnant within few weeks of that declaration. That was the first democratization expression of the Kilba people. After about eight years on the throne, another political construction was undertaken to unseat this popular king. I understand that a letter purported to be addressed to the chief of Mubi was said to have been opened by Töl Nyako and the crime fetched him instant sack. Töl Yerima Adamu Bala was appointed or hand picked by Adamawa Emirate Council to replace him. Töl Nyako later fell off his bicycle and died at Dazal while attending a Christian crusade in 1997.
As expected, Töl Bala's reign could be said to be a sit-down-look kind of leadership. In view of the observed degeneration, some Kilba people later talked the chief into the restoration of our staff of office. Instantly, his style of leadership changed and he was humble enough to respond to the Kilbas' call that we should not bow down to trivialities of going to Yola to pay homage on sallah and fishing festivals. That singular act earned him respect from the people although it led to his suspension from office by the Adamawa Emirate Council. Before his death, individual effort was made by Mr. Richard Hyellandendu, former special Adviser to the former Governor of Adamawa State (Alh. Sale Michika) on political and legislative matters, towards reconciling the two councils. This led to lifting of suspension of the Töl Höba and subsequent payment of arrears of his salary. At the sudden death of our chief, Yerima Bala, one unfortunate development was the appointment of caretaker, District Head of Hong. The practice has always been that in the event of the death of an incumbent chief, the current Yaduma covers his duties pending the appointment of a substantive chief. This traditional arrangement was breached by the Adamawa Emirate Council apparently in a bid to steer up confusion in our affairs again. In between, we have to commend the individual efforts of Maj. Gen. Hananiya, Brigs. General Kama and Chama as well as Maj. K.K. Musa all retired. Their efforts gave us the Local Government Secretariat, Cultural Centre and the Educational Fund. These efforts are commendable but individual, fire brigade approaches to the growth and development of the land is unacceptable and selfish. Today we are where we are because of the Kilba people themselves.
At the inception of this political dispensation, the honest and straight-forward, experienced and prudent Höba, decided to take refuge in an attitude of cold passitivity forgetting that politics is too serious a matter to be left in the hands of immature people. Now all of us are paying the price. Politics has gotten to a position that if we all fold our arms the wrong set of people who jostle for public offices will continue to rule us wrongly. So we need to make a change either by our personal involvement or making our contribution felt where necessary. I repeat, because of the way some rascals have continued to run government we cannot afford to continue to sit on the sideline and complain about those in power. We should desist from being ringside analysts. We should be ready to take the bull by the horn and take the plunge. There is nothing really bad in getting involved and going into the ring. I challenge all the good Höba to really, really get involved in governance and show people that things can work in the land. Yes, we cannot continue to sit on the fence side and say I don't like politics and political office, it is an ungrateful thing, it is a thankless job, etc. We should be able to intervene and demonstrate that although we may not own a political party, we can vigorously intervene and determine who would rule us or lead us. Let the Höba become partisan by contesting, winning and presenting the people with a model. That is the only way one can cart away the dirty participants and avoid sorrow and decay.
We would like to tell all Höba that are living within and outside Nigeria to come back home. We must leave a different legacy for generations yet unborn, otherwise they will ask us about what we have done. We seem to be busy mending the front of the house while the back is falling apart. I call it “zero dot com” in these days of Information Technology. There will be no realization objective at the end and Höba is worst for it.
BANANDA MANASA
Secretary, KDA, Rivers State Chapter
REPORT OF THE
DELEGATES TO THE COLLABORATIVE
PROGRAMME OF THE
KDA AND CPTA ON
HIV/AIDS, DRUG ABUSE AND CAREER
GUIDANCE
HELD AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL, GSS HONG, HONG LOCAL
GOVERNMENT, ADAMAWA STATE
Introduction
We bring to you greetings from home. You will all recall that we went home in March on an advocacy programme, which was aimed at sensitizing members of our community on the 3 key issues of HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse and Career development. The original idea was to reach home and establish a project-based partnership with members of our community that live at home. We got the opportunity, this time through the CPTA and we are grateful to God. We also appreciate the true partnership spirit shown by the CPTA. KDA is on a “Payback” mission to the society that nurtured all its members directly or indirectly. If there were no Hong LGA, there probably wouldn't have been any KDA Abuja today. It was in the light of this and in an effort to contribute to grassroots development in Adamawa that we decided to invest in this project.
Planning
Meeting with CPTA chairman at home and here in Abuja
Weekly meetings of the EXCO members and others
Materials such as Banners, Invitation letters and cards, logistics and publicity
The Programme
The programme was held on Friday 30th March 2001 at GSS Hong Assembly Hall. The special guest of honour was the Honourable Commissioner for Health Adamawa state Alhaji Ahmadu Sameni, who was represented by Dr Benson Kongyiburi, a Director in the Ministry of Health. The special guest of honour described the programme as a rescue mission. The Coordinator, National AIDS/STD control programme, Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, was represented by Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada. He was also present in his capacity as the Regional Communications Coordinator of the Society for Family Health (SFH). The lectures and exhibitions were beautifully presented and Mr. John Ngallo also gave a talk on behalf of the SFH and distributed materials.
Achievements
A significant number of people particularly the youth, parents and teachers from different schools at home were sensitized on the issues of HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse and Career development
Partnership and public confidence established for KDA
Excellent image built for KDA at home (Recognition of KDA Abuja as trusted community that have our home people at heart)
Attracted development and investment at home (information, funds, confidence in our community)
Good relationship developed between principals, heads of schools, parents and KDA
Challenges
Identify educationists at home and in Diaspora need to offer free and willing guidance to Kilba youth that are already affected
A standing committee should be formed to visit schools in Kilba land and give periodic guidance to youth at JSS 1-3
Need for more seminars on career guidance and education psychology
Need for political awareness seminars to expose the youth to the implications of partisan politics in the Local Government and the State.
Contact: ksgama@yahoo.com
LOANS, THRIFT AND COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR
MEMBERS OF KILBA
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (KDA), ABUJA
1.0 INTEREST-FREE LOAN (without interest)
1.1 Criteria for granting of loan
1.1.1 Sickness
1.1.2 Genuine emergencies (fire disasters, accident, robberies, etc)
1.1.3 Rescue purposes
1.2 Eligibility
1.2.1 Financial members for 12 months and above rated 60% or more by the reward & discipline sub- committee
1.2.2 Person(s) in 1.2.1, must be experiencing either one or more of the conditions laid out in 1.1 above.
1.3 Maximum amount of loan, to be recommended by the socio-economic committee and depending on:
1.3.1 Nature of circumstance
1.3.2 Capability to repay
1.3.3 Repayment period
1.4 Procedure for acquiring loan
1.4.1 Written application stating reason, repayment period and method of repayment.
1.4.2 Presentation of two guarantee letters from financial members residing in Abuja and rated 60% or more by reward & discipline subcommittee, accepting to pay back the loan if the receiver fails to pay back.
1.4.3 Official approval of application by the president.
1.5 Maximum repayment period
1.5.1 12 months (1 year)
1.6 Remedies for default in pay back
1.6.1 Issuance of warning letter
1.6.2 Appearance before disciplinary committee
1.6.3 Sanctioning
1.6.4 Guarantors to payback the amount
2.0 THRIFT AND COOPERATIVES (KDA COOPERATIVE)
2.1 Modalities
2.1.1 Members to contribute agreed amount monthly
2.1.2 Operate a separate account from that of KDA
2.1.3 Elect officials to run the society but all approval must be endorsed by KDA president
2.1.4 Issue loan to interested members with agreed percentage of interest charged
2.1.5 Share dividends among members from accrued interest charges on pro-rata basis
2.2 Loan criteria
2.2.1 Possible reason for grant of loan
2.2.1.1 Need of any kind
2.2.2 Eligible persons
2.2.2.1 Contributing member for a period of not less than six (6) months
2.2.3 Procedure for accessing loan
2.2.3.1 Written application requesting for loan stating amount and details of repayment (period, installments etc)
2.2.3.2 Presentation of two guarantee letters from members having enough saving to settle the amount required
2.2.3.3 Approval of application by society's officials and endorsed by KDA president
2.2.4 Maximum amount loanable
2.2.4.1 Twice amount contributed
2.2.5 Maximum repayment period
2.2.5.1 12 months (1 year)
2.2.6 Remedies for default in payback.
2.2.6.1 Forfeiture of amount saved
2.2.6.2 Appearance before disciplinary committee
2.2.6.3 Application of appropriate sanction
3.0 GROUP CONTRIBUTION
3.1 Modalities
3.1.1 Members to agree on amounts to be contributed monthly or otherwise
3.1.2 Agree on timing as to when each member is collecting
3.1.3 Each members to present a guarantor
3.2 Remedies for default
3.2.1 Appearance before disciplinary committee
3.2.2 Application of appropriate sanction
3.2.3 Repayment of full amount by guarantor.
Sunday, 15th July 2001 marked another turning point in the history of KDA, not only that of Abuja but also that of the nation at large.
This was the first time any sporting event in the name of KDA was organised. The youths of Dwugwaba and Kulinyi Districts locked horns in a friendly volley back watch at the volley ball court of the NYSC Camp in Kubwa, Abuja. The match which was organised under the umbrella of the Youth Development Committee, KDA, Abuja proved to be an explosive one and full of excitement.
Professor K. S. Gamaniel, President of the KDA, Abuja in his opening speech enjoined the players to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship both during and after the game. He said that he was extremely happy to see the two teams exhibiting a very high level of friendship among themselves. He further noted that the teams were being referred to as KDA teams 1 and 2 wether for Dugwaba or Kulinyi. This he explained was a clear example of the unifying factor behind sports.
The match was very exciting and both teams entertained the spectators by exhibiting great skills to the arrangement of the bout. The match ended 3 - 2 in favour of Kulinyi district.
The Grand Patron, Arch. P. M. Bana could not hide his excitement. He commended the efforts of the youths and said that the match had revealed that KDA had a lot of hidden talents which needed to be tapped especially now that sports had become a source of livelihood.
The Vice President of KDA, Abuja, Mr. Ayuba Shalmijili challenged Kulinyi to a return match. He expressed certainty that Dugwaba would win the return match because his experience as a one-time player for the North-Eastern region would be put to use as a coach for Dugwaba and if necessary, as a player.
The Chairman, Youth Development Committee, Mr. Dominic John Dama thanked all for sparing their time to come out and watch the match. He specially thanked the youths who had spared their time and resources to ensure that the day was a success.
The President on behalf of KDA assured the Youth Development Committee and the youths generally of its full support. He thanked the players, officials, spectators and everyone who had in one way or the other helped to make it a day to remember. He wished everyone journey mercies back home.
Members and guests interviewed after the game expressed the need for such games to be conducted more often. This they said would ease tension and create room for free interaction which was absent during regular meeting. This interaction they said would enhance unity among members of the KDA and the public generally.
The Vice President’s idea for a return match was generally accepted. Both teams were heard to have boasted as to winning the return match. What to expect from the return match could simply be summarised in the words of one member, “From what I saw here today, from the determination on the faces of the players and from the massive support of the KDA members and invited guests, I am certain that the return match would be spectacular. I couldn’t miss it for the world”.
For the true winner of the return match, only time will tell.
YOUTHS
Usama Mbötha Höba,
The new lexicon Webster's Dictionary of the English Language (1988 Edition) defines the word clarion as “loud and very clear” and I intend to make this call as such. This is a call that is long overdue and is now brought to fore by the recent trend of events at our beloved Hong LGA.
How can we be preaching a good message like “forward forever and backward never” or “Together we stand and divided we fall” and not live up to them? Haven't we heard that “a good name is sooner lost than earned?
Now that it has happened, every Höba must learn the lessons that come with the experience. Experience they say is not what happened to you but what you do with it. What will Höba do with the leadership of our motherland and how can we also ensure that our good name, which our noble sons and daughters out there are tirelessly working for, doesn't go down the drain overnight, just as it almost got to?
To some Höba people, what happened at our LG might have been just an event that has come and gone. A lot of Höba people however, know better than that, in that as vanguards of our community, efforts have already been put into motion to redress the problems. Just one example may suffice to show its impact even on the international arena; as many as listened to BBC that day would have heard about Hong as a place in Nigeria whose people are barbaric and disgruntled. Can you tell the probability of these same people hearing about Hong and its people in the next ten (10) years?
THE PROBLEM & ITS SOLUTION
As a people, we must take root in our past, look at the present to be able to chart a progressive course for our future. Whether we fail or succeed hereafter will depend on what we do with cross roads that chaos like this brings.
Perhaps this problem is a resultant effect of, the disharmony and negligence on the part of our elders` who are the custodian of our past and partakers of the present and on whose shoulders the future structure depend. It is of note to say that posterity will not forgive any generation of elders that fail to bridge the gap between the aged and the young in order to sustain the culture & tradition of any community ours cannot be different. The young ones depend on the elders solely if they are to inherit a formidable society that is well cultured.
This call is therefore, call to the elders, the elites and those that have the Höba community at heart. How can you operate “democracy” in a family of six (6) when you come to the choice of either a plate of rice or junks of chocolate for a dinner? The children are four (4) in number and therefore the choice of chocolate will win over a plate of rice. To illustrate this point better still, if the elders of Lagos State did not unanimously concede gubernatorial seat to Bola Tinubu on the ticket of AD, ordinary elections would have given it to any, Tom, Dick or Harry as the “Area boys” and “Area Girls” wouldn't have been responsible enough to know who will best serve the interest of the state (since democracy is but a game of numbers). It has expressed itself in their ability to contend with the problem of “Chicago” Bola Tinubu faced later.
Dear reader, this call must be made louder than this ink and paper. We must bury our hatchets and work at having a guided democracy at home. It may not be a replica of what obtained in Lagos state during the last elections but it should be such that we get responsible people who have our community at heart at the helm of affairs; people who will not disgrace us because of material gains. This will ensure harmony between our LG Chairman and the councilors since everyone will be working towards the progress of Höba community. Höba first and themselves second. One other role that our vanguard will ensure will be to see to it that the leadership of our dear LGA execute and attend to needs of common interests.
The proposed vanguard of our community or elders should be dedicated and noble sons and daughters of our land who have track records that is noble and have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavor
I cannot drop my pen without commending KDA leadership in Abuja and the leadership of other Höba communities out there who took a courageous step in redressing the situation in our Local Government Council. May this bold move be a new beginning for harmony and for a progressive and peaceful coexistence.
Long live KDA
Long live Höba Community
The recent political crisis which had locked Hong Local Government had not gone down well with the general public, indigenes of Hong Local Government and in particular members of the Kilba Development Association (KDA), Abuja. There were physical combats among members of the Executive Council and government property was destroyed. This led to the suspension of the Chairman, Rev. Erick and his Councilors by the Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna.
The general meeting of KDA, Abuja held on 5th August 2001 had one hundred and seventy-two (172) members in attendance. The general house had condemned with uttermost bitterness the unruly conduct of the Chairman and Councilors of Hong Local Government Area. They expressed the opinion that the situation arose due to lack of interest and/or concern shown by the elite and gifted indigenes toward politics. The house observed that if the elites had shown sufficient interest in the affairs of the Local Government, the incidence would have been averted.
Determined to seek solutions to the crisis, prominent indigenes of the Local Government met on Saturday, 25th August 2001 in the spirit of reconciliation. The meeting, which was spear-headed by KDA, Abuja was held only after the executive had embarked on due consultation. Some of those consulted included the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, the Gombi-Hong Constituency Representative in the Federal House of Representatives, Deputy Commissioner of Police, A. T. Gaya and Patrons of KDA, Abuja, and Barrister D. D. Azura, a private legal practitioner and also legal adviser to the Nigerian Bar Association. Other branches of Kilba Unions were also consulted. The consultations centered about the political, legal and security implication of the crisis and the local government in general.
The meeting, had prominent indigenes in attendance. They included Brig. Gen. S. B. Chama, a one time Military Administrator of Katsina State, Hon. M. U. Balama Gombi-Hong Constituency Representative in the National Assembly, Prof. K. S. Gamaniel <ksgama@yahoo.com>, the Director of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja. Also in attendance were District Heads, representatives of about 12 other Associations of the Local Government and also representatives from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
Everyone was police-friendly and made useful contributions. The youth specifically asked not to be left out in the helm of affairs of the Local Government and pledge their loyalty and support to the development of the LGA.
The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting viewed the crisis with great concern and condemned it, emphasizing that there was no justification for it at all.
The role of the state government, especially the setting out of a panel of inquiring to investigate the causes of the crises, was commended and endorsed. The communiqué further pointed out the need to work with security operatives in the Local Government Area consulting them regularly so as to prevent any reoccurrence of such an act.
The indigenes were enjoined to set aside their differences and learn to live together as brothers and sisters. It also stated that there was a need for wide consultation when taking decisions on issue of a sensitive nature, which affects the lives of nearly everyone in the LGA.
The communiqué suggested that a general cultural and developmental meeting be organised so as to bring the indigenes closer together and provide a forum where all would have an opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the Local Government. It called on the elite and gifted indigenes to take active part in the political developments of the LGA so that those with less experience could benefit from them.
The communiqué concluded by recommending a seven-man committee with members drawn from each of the seven districts to work with the District Heads, Elders and Government Agencies with a view to mobilizing the indigenes to participate in the development programmes.
PREVENTION &
REDUCTION OF DRUG ABUSE
AMONG THE YOUTH IN
OUR COMMUNITY
Professor K. S.
Gamaniel
What is Drug Abuse?
A large number of people use drugs to influence their normal behaviour and to produce altered state of feeling for recreational, ceremonial or even religious purposes. This pattern of use often deviates from the legitimate medical application of the drugs involved. The practice leads to more intense use in terms of frequency or amount that result in dependence or compulsive use. In the medical circle, Drug Abuse refers to the use (usually by self-medication) of any drug in a manner that deviates from the approved medical or social patterns. The term refers to the use of drugs for purposes other than their legitimate medical uses.
Generally speaking, Drug Abuse refers to the use of hard drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, narcotics etc and their harmful socio-economic and medical manifestations. Government agencies regard the use of any illegal substance as Drug Abuse.
How Does the Phenomenon of Drug abuse Develop in an Individual?
Drug abuse is commonly, associated with the development of tolerance, physical dependence and sometimes, emotional dependence. Tolerance is said to have developed when a given amount (dose) of a particular drug produces a decreased effect after repeated administration, or when increasingly larger doses are required to obtain the effects observed initially. Physical dependence refers to an altered state of the body (adaptation), which necessitates the continued administration of the drug to prevent the appearance of withdrawal effects. Both tolerance and physical dependence ensure that more and more of the drug are taken on continuous basis. Emotional dependence is said to have developed when a drug dependent person suffers emotional distress from failure to take the drug.
Drug dependence is a state in which the use of drugs is given much higher priority than other more productive activities like going to work or school. The intensity of "need" or dependence may vary from a mild desire to a "craving" or compulsion to use the drug. When the availability of the drug is uncertain, drug dependent individuals exhibit a preoccupation with its procurement. The term “Addiction” is used to connote a severe degree of drug dependence that is extreme. The term conveys, in a quantitative sense, the degree to which drug use pervades the total life activities of the user and of the range of circumstances in which drug use controls the user's behaviour and entire life. At this stage drug use is based on emotion rather than volition.
How Do You Notice Drug Abuse in Individuals?
Taking a drug more often or in larger amounts than intended.
Unsuccessful efforts to terminate or reduce drug use.
Larger amount of time spent acquiring or using the drug or recovering from its effects.
Frequent intoxication or withdrawal symptoms
Abandonment of social or occupational activities because of drug use.
Continued use despite adverse psychological and physical effects.
Marked degree of tolerance
Frequent use of the drug to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
The problem is that parents are usually taken unawares and so they do not know how to handle the situation. In any case, prevention is better than cure.
How Does Drug Abuse Start?
Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the "gateway" drugs, that children are first exposed to and whose use often precedes abuse of other drugs.
Alcohol and tobacco are the drugs most often used in our community because they are legal and widely accepted in our culture. They are often viewed as less dangerous substances than other drugs.
Young people who take alcohol and smoke at an early age (15 years and below) are more likely and are at greater risk of indulging in drug abuse.
Teenage years are critical in the habituation of cigarette smokers. Three-quarters of the adults who currently smoke started their habit before the age of 21. Nine out of ten smokers say they want to quit.
Indian hemp (cannabis) is the commonest drug of abuse in Nigeria. People often try drugs such as marijuana because they feel pressured by peers (usually acquaintances, friends, sisters, and brothers) to be part of the group.
Which Drugs Are Commonly Abused?
Most of the agents commonly used to modify behaviour, mood and emotion can be placed broadly in six major classes, viz:
Psycho stimulants e.g. Cocaine (Big C, Blow, Coke, snow, gold dust), amphetamine, caffeine.
Psycho depressants e.g. Ethanol (Erythroxylon coca alcohol, beer, ogogoro, burukutu, hot), Benzodiazepines (valium, Librium), Barbiturates (red devil, blue devil).
Narcotics (Papaver somniferum; opioids) e.g. Opium, Morphine, Heroin (boy, horse, smack); also methadone and pethidine, also codeine.
Cannabis (From Indian Hemp), Marijuana (crude; grass, ganja, Dope, pot, weed), Hashish (liquid exudate; Hash) smoked or eaten (sedative).
Psychedelic drugs (Hallucinogens) e.g. LSD (Ergot alkaloid), mescaline, PCP, MDMA, MDA.
Others e.g. Inhalants, Nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons (aerosol propellants, glue, paint thinners), volatile solvents, Nicotine (tobacco)
What are the Consequences and Dangers of Drug Abuse to Young People and the Community?
People get hooked to drugs of abuse as a result of tolerance, dependence and addiction. This often leads to some Medical (health), Social and Economic consequences. They may include the following:
Significant amount of time used to acquire and to recover from the effects. Money is also spent in managing drug related problems e.g. cancer, heart, liver problems.
Young men that derail become destitute and social burdens. Individuals become nuisance in the society due to personality damage.
Grief and anger due to untimely death of loved ones e.g. through accidents, overdose or drug combinations.
Craving may lead to crime, violence, theft, Separation, divorce, lack of interest in family, etc.
Alters a person's ability to learn and remember information (Failures).
When young people start using marijuana regularly, they often lose interest and are not motivated to do their schoolwork.
The effects of marijuana can interfere with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, and verbal and mathematical skills.
Research shows that students do not remember what they have learned when they are "high".
Injecting cocaine with contaminated equipment (syringes) can cause AIDS, hepatitis, and other diseases.
The use of cocaine can cause death by cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased.
What are the Factors that Contribute to Drug Abuse?
Frustration due to apparently insurmountable economic conditions, ineffective families, lack of personal goals or resources, etc.
Drug abuse is associated with marginal behaviour, poor education and neglect of traditional social values.
Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, insomnia or even subtle symptoms, like shyness are also believed to contribute to and influence the pattern of drug use by individuals.
Thus it is virtually compulsory to use drugs in certain circles especially among criminal groups in the cities and cults on the campuses. Drug addicts often appear to be more dependent on their peer groups and friends than the drug itself.
Availability of legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco also provide greater opportunities for use and their social acceptability explains why for most people, they will be the first psychoactive substances to be tried.
Practices such as drinking competition in schools, open display and advertisement of alcoholic beverages and tobacco also encourage drug abuse. The danger of the social use of drugs is that it exposes those individuals who are vulnerable, to a more destructive mode of use.
Drugs that reliably produce intensely pleasant feelings (euphoria) are more likely to be taken repeatedly. The probability that the consumption of a given drug will lead to compulsion depends upon the sensory and pharmacological reward that reinforces the drug taking behaviour.
· Reinforcement refers to the ability of drugs to produce effects that make the user wish to take them again. Opiates and amphetamines carry great risk because of the feeling of orgasm that occur at the time of injection.
How do we Prevent and/or Reduce Drug Abuse Among the Youth in the Community?
Parents have the greatest role to play. Schools can help, churches can help, and law enforcement can help, but on one can replace the family. Being involved with drug abuse and prevention lets our children know that we care. The most promising drug prevention programs are those in which parents, students, schools, and communities join together to send a firm, clear message that the use of alcohol and other drugs will not be tolerated. Children must be taught how to say no to peer pressure to try drugs. Social, family, and religious values give young people reasons to say no and help them stick to their decisions. Children whose parents or teachers smoke, for example, are more likely to become smokers. Evaluate your own use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Consider how your attitudes and actions may be shaping your child's choice about whether or not to use alcohol or other drugs.
As parents, we need to know about alcohol and other drugs so that we can provide our children with current and correct information. If we know their effects on the mind and body, and the symptoms of their use - we can discuss these subjects intelligently with our children. Many parents hesitate to discuss alcohol and other drug use with their child until it becomes too late. Don't wait until you think your child has a problem. Begin early to talk about alcohol and other drugs, and keep the lines of communication open.
Parents should work with teachers, administrators, and community members to develop a good drug policy in schools. Good school policies typically specify what constitutes an alcohol or other drug offense, spell out the consequences for violating the policy, describe procedures for handling violations, and build community support for the policy. Let other parents know about the school's policies through meetings of the parent-teacher association. Knowledgeable local pharmacists and physicians can be invited to discuss how drugs affect the growth and development of children; police officers can outline the scope and severity of the drug problem in your community.
Help your child to grow up alcohol and drug free by supporting community efforts to give young people healthy alternatives e.g. sports, scouts, religious-sponsored youth programs, and community-sponsored youth organizations are excellent ways for children to meet others of their own age. Children will need a clear no-use message, factual information, and strong motivation to resist pressures to try alcohol and other drugs and to reinforce the determination to remain drug free.
Conclusion
Most young people do not use illicit drugs, they do not approve of drug use by their friends, and they share their parents' concern about the dangers posed by drugs. A lot of our youth are conscripted into drug use without knowing the risks. Children should avoid, say no and advise their colleagues against drug abuse. Our attitude and value systems tend to encourage drinking and drug abuse. The practice that people gather after office hours or even during office hour to drink must be discouraged.
OH GREAT LAND
Innocent J.
Gandapa
Oh great Land, rich with great people. Who has bewitched you, who have cast a spell on you? Why are your inhabitants so divided and cruel to one another? You were created a royal people with honour and splendor how is it now that your princes are slaves in your own domain. Your walls are broken and your watchmen love to sleep; enemies have infiltrated your ranks”. Oh great Land, land of my forefathers why is your deliverance taking so long? A deliverer seems not to be in sight and the captivity of your sons lingers on. Where is the shepherd of my people? Where are the leaders of my tribesmen? They have all gone their own ways, everyone seeking his own gain. Ah! They are blind guides filled with greed and drunk with pride. Personal observations and suggestions towards the recovery and greatness of Kilba Land and its People. (1) We are too educated and moral a people to allow some set of touts, embezzlers to determine and control our politics. (2) We should set high standards of morality/credibility, education and competence for our politicians. (3) We should allow and encourage the younger generation to gradually take over the politics of our land as most of our older folks have either failed or are entangled in terrible mess. (4) We should develop our own traditional political system in reality of the modern times we are living in, and largely free from external influence that would want to keep us put in perpetual captivity. (5) Our people (the follower ship) must be oriented and educated on how to serve as a pressure group to their leaders and not necessarily disrespecting and maltreating them. (6) Our so-called leaders must keep pride, grudges and sentiments aside and unite. All factions and interest groups should give in some measure of compromise to allow peace and progress to take place. (7) Lastly we must develop a Kilba identity and pride that would provoke us on insisting for the greatness of our dear Land.
Re: Suspension of Hong
Local Government Chairman and Councillors
It is with deep sense of loss and disappointment that we the members of the Association of Höba Professionals, Kaduna read in some national dailies, the suspension from office of the Chairman Hong Local Government and all the Councilors from office. The reason for this as given by the Government of Adamawa State was that law and order had completely broken down because of a protracted crisis in the Council.
On this score the Government is right as the Council's squabble was notorious and had resulted in:
(A) Retarding development in the Local Government Area thus, making a mockery of the much taunted dividends of democracy.
(B) Creating fear and insecurity as brothers and sisters are now set against each other.
(C) The palpable feeling of neglect and total abandonment by the State Government, which has the wherewithal to ameliorate the suffering of the people if they choose to.
We hold the Adamawa State Government culpable for the prolonging of the crisis in the Local Government because security reports have manifestly and consistently documented this unwarranted crisis.
While the State Government had the wherewithal to nip the crisis from the bud, it chose to sit idly by thus allowing it progress from bad to worse while our people wallowed in fear and deprivation. We were infact, given to think the situation was beyond redemption but we knew otherwise. A representative Government is a thing of joy and not a curse; so ours should not have been an exception.
Albeit late, as loyal citizens of our nation, we thank the Adamawa State Government for taking this step which we all along believed it had the power to take if it cared. It is now obvious that Hong Local Government has lost time and must play catch-up. We will therefore like to offer the following suggestions:
(A) The suspension of the Chairman and his Councilors from office be allowed to naturally progress into a sack in consonance with the law. They have learnt nothing and are unrepentant and selfish.
(B) Those who perpetrated this despicable acts should be made to face the laws of the land and adequate compensation be made to those innocent whose property were destroyed or suffered physical harm in the fracas that ensued.
(C) An indigene of Hong Local Government Area be appointed sole Administrator of the Local Government pending the termination of the debacle subsequent to which new elections will be held. We are very wary of imposition from outside and with good reasons too given our well-documented history. The State Government should be wary of any action that will portray it as a conquering hero.
(D) It is imperative that the Adamawa State Government be seen to be transparently honest and interested in genuine democracy rather than allow itself to be used by unpatriotic and self-serving individuals who readily resort to violent means in settling democratic issues that are best resolved through dialogue.
We, as patriotic indigenes of Hong Local Government Area welcome the opportunity to work for and support genuine democratic ideals. The Government has our support.
Churchill Dunah - Chairman,
Engr. Bernard Emmanuel - General Secretary
Dated 14th day of August,
2001
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