By Ebriku John Friday
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has said that a three day peace meeting would be convened in September to seek lasting solutions to the crisis in Southern Kaduna.
He disclosed this recently in Kaduna during a condolence visit to the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union at Barnawa, Kaduna State, a statement by the NCPC Head of Media, Celestine Toruka.
The NCPC Boss said he at the Secretariat of the Union to pay a condolence visit on the lost of lives of innocent people of Southern Kaduna following the recent crisis that erupted in the area.
He called on both the Federal and state government to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime in Southern Kaduna were brought to justice. He affirmed that the Union had been the voice of the people and that the Southern Kaduna people are receptive, accommodating and friendly to visitors in their communities.
Rev. Pam described the current situation in Southern Kaduna as the handiwork of the enemy. He promised to talk to the power that be to fish out those behind the killings. He cautioned that for peace to be restored in Southern Kaduna all players must be circumspect with their utterances so as not to escalate the fragile situation.
Speaking, the President of the Union, Hon. Jonathan Asake said the NCPC boss ” is a messenger of peace “, he congratulated him on his recent appointment as the Executive Secretary of the NCPC which he said was a well deserved one because of his relentless commitment to peace building.
According to him, ”we are not in anyway surprised that you have continued in what you know how to do best ”. He affirmed that only inclusive leadership that would help to restore the crisis in Southern Kaduna.
In the words of Hon. Asake, ”we in Southern Kaduna have tried to tell the world that what is going on is genocide and ethnic cleansing and that the actions and in actions of our leaders and utterances are not helping matters. ”
In a related development, the NCPC helmsman also met with the Southern Kaduna Elders led by Major General Zamani Lekwot rtd. in his residence in Kaduna. He intimated the rtd. General that he was there on a message of condolence to empathize with them on the lost of the innocent lives of the people of Southern Kaduna following the recent attack on their communities.
He described the Southern Kaduna as a mini Nigeria where people live in peace and harmony. He described the current situation in the area as a painful period for the people. In the words of the NCPC Boss ” the questions in the mouth of every Nigerian is when will this crisis end”.
He further tasked the elders of the Southern Kaduna to forgive their enemies while promising to do his best to raise the level of intelligence so that those who come to the communities in the night to kill innocent and harmless people would be stopped.
He equally called on the Southern Kaduna youth to ceasefire in order to chart a new course, adding that the elders had a big responsibility to ensure that the younger ones do not take laws into their hands.
Speaking, General Lekwot congratulated the No 1 Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation on his recent appointment, adding that “NCPC is a platform that unites all faithful, going on pilgrimage is the dream of every believer”.
He thanked the NCPC boss for coming to commiserate with them in their trying moment. He averred that the root of the problem must be addressed in order to create a conducive atmosphere for peace to reign.
He called on the government to do more than they were doing presently and do the needful, adding that “Nigeria is not a banana Republic and the rule of the law must be enforced”. He said, “we want the bandit to live us alone so that life will return to normal”.
Rev. Pam was also at the Southern Kaduna Development Association Forum where he met with their Chairman, Dr Zuwaghu Bonat and other leaders of the association.
He condoled with them on the lost of the innocent lives of the good people of Southern Kaduna. He tasked them on the need for a ceasefire and for peace to reign in Southern Kaduna.
