The Kano State Government has inaugurated a Reconciliatory Committee mandated to resolve conflicts among members of the Yoruba community in the state.
According to reports, the conflict is mainly due to a leadership dispute between the Aare and the Oba groups among the community.
Inaugurating the committee, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi said the government is disturbed about the leadership crisis among members of the Yoruba community, hence the need to urgently resolve the situation.
Inaugurating the committee, the SSG said, “To resolve this conflict between the Oba’s group and Aare group, we have carefully selected you as members of this committee as each one of you is a leader by his right.
“More so, it is an issue of concern to the state government because the Yoruba community is an integral part of the Kano community.
“His Excellency wants you to use your wealth of experience and knowledge to resolve the prevailing conflict within the immunity.
“On behalf of the governor his Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, and in the name of Allah, I Inaugurate this committee.”
Members of the committee, basically drawn from the academia include Prof. Usman Muhammad as chairman and Dr. Ransom Bello as co-chairman.
Other members include Prof. Afolabi Falola, Prof. Ibrahim Khalil, Prof. Akindele Mukaddas, Prof. Usman Malumfashi and Prof. Nuruddeen Salahuddeen.
The 11-man committee will also have a member from the Kano State Emirate Council.
Some of the terms of reference for the conflict resolution committee include inviting the two conflicting parties within the community with the aim of addressing the crisis.
The committee is expected to invite relevant associations, interest groups and individuals that reside in Kano to make written/oral submissions related to the crisis.
It will also invite and dialogue with all organizations or institutions such as Kano Emirate Council because of complicities surrounding certain appointments by council.
It is also expected to find out the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and the roles played by various parties both internal and external.
The committee will equally proffer solutions and recommendations and also submit a report to the state government within a period of four weeks from the date of inauguration.
In his address, the chairman of the committee Prof. Usman, promised to deploy the best conflict resolution ideas to get to the root of the problem with responsibility and commitment.
On his part, the co-chairman Dr. Ransom, thanked the state government for seeing them fit for the job and promised to deliver.
Addressing newsmen after the inauguration of the committee, the Special Adviser the State Governor on Inter-community Relations for Yoruba Affairs, Abdussalam Abiola, called on the Yoruba Community to cooperate with the committee and make sacrifices in order to allow peace to reign in the state.
