The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Arc. Barnabas Bala Bantex, Friday enjoined the people of Southern Kaduna to have confidence in the future following the incessant attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the area.
He warned them not to engage in self help and reprisals but to support the efforts the state government is taking towards ensuring lasting solution to the crisis.
It would be recalled that Arc. Bantex in 2001, as then Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, LGA, of Kaduna State, had threatened to hoist a “Christian flag” in southern Kaduna and declare canon over the area should the then governor, Ahmed Maikarfi declare Sharia in Kaduna state.
He, however, noted that it was wrong for Southern Kaduna people to reduce everything to religion and ethnicity.
Speaking through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Barrister Chris Umar at the opening ceremony of Southern Kaduna Investment Summit, he said, “Our efforts to provide jobs and empower our people economically can only be achieved in a peaceful environment.
“We all need to make our contribution to create and sustain harmony, and jointly confront criminality, division and violence.
“Reducing everything to religion and ethnicity is to mire our people in backwardness.
“Relating to our neighbours and other members of the diverse communities that make up this state with a victim mentality is not progressive.
“Constantly ascribing malice and ill-will to others says more about the person that has such a mind-set.
“Using religion as a platform to spread lies, encourage division and invoke hatred of others is most unfortunate.
“We must speak honestly and frankly to each other as only friends and family can.
“Encouraging self-help, reprisals and vengeance is nothing but incitement to criminal conduct. We are deeply pained by the lives lost and the property damaged in the on-going violence. This makes peace-building more urgent.”
Bantex acknowledged that Southern Kaduna was blessed with rich arable lands and also endowed with mineral resources, which he said Kaduna state government was harnessing to creating more jobs.
The convener of the Summit, Barrister Audu Maikori, in his opening remarks said that with the natural riches endowed Southern Kaduna, the area could do well if its natives know how to take advantage of what they have.
“If government has not done enough for you, God has done more than enough for Southern Kaduna,” he said.
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