ON MAKE JOS GREAT AGAIN FORUM: WHERE ARE KADUNA PATRIOTS?
ON MAKE JOS GREAT AGAIN FORUM: WHERE ARE KADUNA PATRIOTS?
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
August 20, 2017
nurudeendauda24@gmail. com
nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com
Diversity is not an excuse for crisis Just as " Homogeneity" not a guarantee for peace. India is the most multi- ethnic and religious country in the world. India has more than one thousand ethnic groups and it is the most multi religious country in the world yet it is relatively peaceful. Somalia as a country has people with same religion cum sect and ethnic group yet the country has been having a civil war of over 20 years. Let's give peace chance! Let's imbibe the culture of tolerance!
Indeed I am very pleased to note that, there is a Forum recently formed In Plateau state called "Make Jos Great Again" which is aimed at restoring peace with which the Plateau was known for. The forum involves leaders from both Muslims and Christians alike. In my modest view, this is a good step in the right direction. We need a similar forum in Kaduna State. Jos Plateau used to be a Cosmopolitan state. People have coexisted peacefully for centuries before the year 2000s crises which bring about Indigene - Settler Dichotomy issue.
In my humble opinion, peace is neither an option nor an alternative. In both Plateau and Kaduna States their people have coexisted peacefully for centuries before the year 2000, except of course, for some pockets of ethno- religious crises. Both states used to be cosmopolitans. The ethno- religious crises in both Plateau and Kaduna states have succeeded in bringing their settlements into compartments. Soon afterwards settlements in the two states became ethno- religious based.
Many analysts with their divergent views have tried to trace the root causes of the ethno- religious tension in the two states. Some of whom linked it to economic issues, and quest for political power etc. Some analysts, on the other hand, argued that some Retired Generals who wanted to remain relevant after retirement have succeeded in fueling ethno- religious hatred among the poor masses in order to remain relevant.
Had the Almighty God wanted he would have created all of us with same religion or tribe. No one chooses to be born as "Muslim" or "Christian" or Hausa- Fulani " or "Berom" or " Bajju" and or "Gbagyi". Anyone who reads about the history of the Prophet of Islam, knows that he lived with the " Jews" and Christians ". One needs to read " Madina Constitution "to appreciate living in a plural society. It is well documented in the history of Islam that, a lot of Non- Muslims during the life of the Prophet of Islam (SAW) accepted Islam due to his kindness, magnanimity, humility and good neighborliness.
However, on the rationale behind the formation of Make Jos Great Again Chief Makama said:
"....Jos used to be so peaceful that you could move freely, day and night...Unfortunately, with the crisis, places like Bauchi road, Rikkos, Anguwan Rogo, Rock Heaven, Tudun Wada, Kabong and others became no-go-areas. You would only go to a place depending on your ethnic or religious identity. Jos became compartmentalised, and many of us felt unhappy about it." - said, Chief Samaila Danko Makama( Daily Trust, August 20,2017).
Chief Sama'ila Danko Makama the chairman of " Make Jos Great Again Forum", a social group that cut across different ethnic and religious creeds, who lived in Jos, which came together to consolidate on the peace process following the crisis that engulfed the ancient city since 2001 said:
" ...We formed a small group to see how we could contribute to the sustenance of peace in Jos... We will collaborate with other like-minds to sustain peace and recreate a friendly environment, which Jos was known for...Jos Museum and Suzie Garden, and others need some improvement... It is our intention to help in refurbishing these places of attraction so that their green scenery can be maintained..."
"....We intend to first sensitise people to key into our objectives. We have also decided to set up a microfinance bank to help small scale entrepreneurs access credit...We also intend to assist widows and internally displaced persons. We have plans to renovate some schools in Jos North and South, beginning with the primary schools because most of our members come from there. We want to also set up a foundation to be known as the Josian Foundation. Once established, this foundation can assist indigent students with scholarships. We will also engage in other areas such as health care delivery, access to portable water etc..." ( Daily Trust, August 20,2017).
It is my hope and prayers that the aims of forum will be achieved. I do hope that it is not a ploy to achieve some hidden political goals. The objective of the forum by its face value is laudable. In my suggestion, Kaduna State needs a similar initiative for the promotion of its peaceful coexistence. We must say "No" to ethno- religious entrepreneurs.
May God bless Nigeria!